Crime Stoppers seeking fresh crop of volunteers
JSpecial to The Herald anuary is National Crime Stoppers Month and we need your help! Crime Stoppers is a non-profit community organization managed by a volunteer board of directors.
This very successful national organization partners with law enforcement in their community and the media to solicit and reward anonymous tips that prevent, stop and solve crimes.
The South Okanagan Similkameen Crime Stoppers organization was started in Penticton in January 1992 and this year is celebrating its 26th anniversary.
This crimefighting program serves the communities of Apex, Cawston, Coalmont, Faulder, Gallagher Lake, Hedley, Kaleden, Keremeos, Naramata, Okanagan Falls, Olalla, Oliver, Osoyoos, Osoyoos Indian Band, Penticton, Penticton Indian Band, Princeton, Summerland, Tulameen, Twin Lakes, Upper and Lower Similkameen Indian Bands and Willowbrook.
To help combat and alleviate crime, Crime Stoppers works on the premise that if someone witnesses or is about to witness a crime, that they phone, text or go to the Crime Stoppers website at www.sostips.ca to report this occurrence about to happen, already happening, or has happened and they have information about it.
Crime Stoppers guarantees anonymity and security in the identity of the “tipster” by not subscribing to call display or call recording, and they are not required to testify in a court of law.
If the information given leads to an arrest or a charge, then the “tipster” will qualify for a cash reward of up to $2,000.
The nine-member board of Crime Stoppers South Okanagan and Similkameen meets on the last Tuesday of every month at the Penticton Lakeside Resort to implement and ensure the ongoing success of the program in this area.
We set policies, decide on tip rewards to be distributed, and deal with the overall operation of the organization by planning fundraising events, trade shows, press releases, and public awareness campaigns by using different media outlets.
Crime Stoppers also has a Facebook page that outlines our activities in the community and gives informational awareness.
At the present time, the board is actively seeking more volunteers to serve as directors. We welcome people from all walks of life who have a strong interest in helping to keep our communities safe.
People with media skills, secretarial skills, event skills, plus other passions are very welcome on the board. To become involved, a person must be able to pass a security clearance test with law enforcement.
They must also have a committed desire to work in a team environment of likeminded individuals with the aim to see the Crime Stoppers program grow and prosper.
The sole source of funding for the Crime Stoppers organization is through donations from generous individuals and companies; there is no government funding available. Because Crime Stoppers is a registered charity in the province of BC, tax-deductible receipts are given for donations.
With much gratitude, Crime Stoppers recognizes the ongoing support of sponsorships and donations from the community, businesses, and each individual. This funding keeps this very successful crime prevention program operating and helps pay out rewards to those people who want to help their community to stop crime.
For more information, call 250-490-2374 or email info@sostips.ca.
Mattie Matheson is the president of Crime Stoppers SOS