Moose Jaw Crime Stoppers received nearly 60 tips from residents about possible crimes during the first quarter of this year and issued nearly $500 in reward money.
From Jan. 1 to April 30, the public sent the organization’s co-ordinator 56 tips about incidents in the community. Investigations led to police arresting and charging two people, while Crime Stoppers paid $450 to people for their help.
The Moose Jaw Police Service provided the information during the recent Board of Police Commissioners’ meeting.
Moose Jaw Crime Stoppers is celebrating its 38th birthday this year and is the oldest Crime Stoppers group in the province. The group was incorporated one day before the City of Regina’s association began, about which former Moose Jaw mayor Louis (Scoop) Lewry always enjoyed reminding people.
Crime Stoppers began in the United States 40 years ago, while Calgary was the first Canadian municipality to adopt the program. The program arrived in Moose Jaw two years later after a Calgary officer arrived in town to be the new police chief.
The program has recovered $838,233 worth of drugs and property since it began here in 1985, while it has processed 4,407 tips, paid out $39,400 in tips out of $56,565 in approved tip money and arrested 503 people. These numbers show how successful the program has been and reflect the good co-operation between the police and residents.
Crime Stoppers has also seen how useful social media has become and how it has evolved over the years. The program started with a phone number of 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), followed by a web page on the Moose Jaw Police Service website, followed by a phone app and social media pages.
The next Board of Police Commissioners meeting is Thursday, June 8, at 7 p.m. in the Moose Jaw Public Library’s south meeting room. The public is welcome to attend.
