Web tips more popular than phone tips

The National Capital Area Crime Stoppers program reports web tips have edged ahead of telephone tips for the very first time according to 2008 statistics. The community-run program serves several municipalities in Eastern Ontario and western Quebec, including Ottawa and Gatineau. The number of SMS or text messaging tips were much lower, because the service was established partway through 2008.
By the end of 2008, the 23 year old program has caused the recovery of nearly 57 million dollars worth of stolen property and illicit drugs.
“Crime Stoppers brings together caring citizens, the media and the police who work together to help keep our streets safe,” says Keith de Bellefeuille Percy, president of the National Capital Area Crime Stoppers. “Under the slogan ‘Crime doesn’t pay…but Crime Stoppers does!’ we have paid out nearly $700,000 in awards for the anonymous tips that have helped the police solve these crimes.
Donations to the Ottawa-based program may be made at crimestoppers.ca where people can also safely and anonymously pass along tips about unsolved crimes.