January is Crime Stoppers Month | www.innisfilscope.com

Crime Stoppers programs are individually registered not-for-profit charitable corporations, operated by civilians from the community. These people control all aspects of the program, including reward payments and fundraising initiatives. Crime Stoppers and the Police are separate and distinct. Because of this distinction, Crime Stoppers programs are not subject to the rules regarding disclosure or through the Freedom of Information Act. Also, Crime Stoppers does not receive Federal of Provincial Government grants. The funds raised are made through donations whether private or corporate and through fundraising efforts. Official tax receipts can be issued for donations received.

Crime Stoppers is a way that you can report crime without having to give your name or other information about yourself. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display, so being anonymous you will not be required to testify in court. So consider, if you have information regarding a crime that has been committed or going to be committed you can be part of the solution in keeping your community or school safe. Please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Crime Stoppers is represented in 77 countries and is made up of over 1200 organizations worldwide. Each Crime Stoppers organization is an independent non-profit organization run by volunteers, who work with police and the media in their respective areas to continue crime-solving efforts in the communities they represent.

Joanne Gates, President of Crime Stoppers of Simcoe-Dufferin-Muskoka says, "Crime Stoppers has had a dramatic impact on crime through the years, and one can only imagine how many incidents would go unsolved if people didn't have the opportunity to anonymously call tips to Crime Stoppers."

Detective Constable Jennifer Kinsella, the Police Coordinator for Crime Stoppers of Simcoe-Dufferin Muskoka, said a number of initiatives are planned throughout January to release statistics and recognize the efforts of the Crime Stoppers Program.

Crime Stoppers is an added community resource for the public to assist Police in the fight against crime", said Jennifer Kinsella

Crime Stoppers is certainly a partnership, involving the news media, the Police and the public with the aim of solving crime and keeping our communities safe. Since the inception of Crime Stoppers of Simcoe-Dufferin- Muskoka in 1987, we have had an impressive record of success and have assisted our Police Services (RCMP, OPP-Barrie, Orillia, Bracebridge, Huntsville, Midland, New Techumseth, Dufferin, Collingwood, Huronia West; Barrie PS, Midland PS, Orangeville PS, Shelburne PS, South Simcoe PS, Base Borden Military Police, Ministry of Natural Resources, Mnjikaning PS, Anishinabek PS, CN Police) by providing anonymous information about unsolved crimes, including promoting Student Crime Stoppers in an effort to reduce crime in our High Schools.