The anonymous crime fighting hotline capped off another successful
year, taking in 6,876 tips that led to the clearing
of 616 cases in 2006. More importantly, there were 530 arrests
as the result of the public phoning in tips on a variety of crimes.
Over $3 million worth of property and drugs with a street value
of over $23.6 million were also seized with the help of the
world-renowned program.
Toronto was also named the most outstanding of 1,200
international Crime Stoppers programs last year among a
bevy of international awards.
"The figures are extraordinary," said Mayor David Miller, who
once again declared January as Crime Stoppers Month.
"To build a truly safe city involves community ownership
that's what Crime Stoppers is all about." The mayor encouraged
tipsters to keep phoning in with information, no matter
how small.
"The information you have may be extremely relevant and you don't
even know it," he said.
Deputy Chief Tony Warr said the power of the program lies in
reaching out to the community for help.
"It's a safe avenue to get involved and assist police without
fear of retribution," Warr said.
Crime Stoppers also showed off a handful of shirts they
designed for Sex Crimes Unit Child Exploitation investigators
to wear when they go on search warrants.
The shirts, emblazoned with the words 'POLICE' and the Crime
Stoppers logo plus the accompanying tip line, are designed to
encourage people to call with any additional information on the
child pornography suspect.
Toronto Police Services Board vice-chair Pam McConnell
said Crime Stoppers saves the police time, money and
leads to arrests where none would otherwise occur.
"It provides an invaluable variety of tips to police," McConnell
said. "It has also given us tips we would have not known
about before."
So far, since the introduction of the tip line more than 20 years
ago, the program is responsible for 8,000 arrests, solving
almost 13,000 cases, recovering $26,878,704 in stolen
property and seizing $133,295,659.
