Tip line tackles villains of the environment
B.C. Crime Stoppers cites ‘Huge proliferation’ of wildlife offences
B.C. Crime Stoppers is stepping up to help protect the environment with the launch of a campaign to encourage the public to anonymously report on environmental crimes.
Linda Annis, executive director of Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers, said the campaign is about raising awareness around the importance of reporting on crimes that involve the environment, such as illegal overfishing, dumping, poaching, hunting out of season, selling animal parts abroad or any crime affecting natural resources.
“People don’t realize there is a reporting mechanism available, so they don’t report, hence the huge proliferation of crimes against the environment,” she said.
Bear, cougar and other animal parts are in demand on the global black market, said Annis.
“The problem is very, very significant worldwide and in British Columbia we are not immune.”
Black bear gallbladders are in demand on the black market for use in traditional Chinese medicine, and black bear paws are considered a delicacy in some parts of Asia.
In November 2017, Hong Hui Xie of Cache Creek was convicted of illegally purchasing and trafficking in bear paws and gallbladders, and in 2016 Coquitlam acupuncturist Yunhee (Sarah) Kim pleaded guilty to trafficking in bear gallbladders and paws.
In 2016, INTERPOL and the UN released a report, Environment, Peace and Security: A Convergence of Threats, tying environmental crime to corruption, counterfeiting, drug-trafficking and terrorism.
“Often people don’t know where and how to report, and if they do report they are afraid for their own personal safety,” said Annis.
“With Crime Stoppers people can report anonymously whether organized crime is involved or if it’s your next-door neighbour.”
Crime Stoppers is working in partnership with the B.C. Salmon Farmers Association to get the message out. The association’s Jeremy Dunn said: “Our members are deeply connected to the environment and aware of the issues ongoing with illegal dumping, illegal fishing and pollution, and Crime Stoppers has an exceptional record.”
Dunn said the program is needed to help raise awareness and get the public to think twice about what they’re doing: “People can call directly to Fisheries and Oceans or Environment Canada, but Crime Stoppers are well-known for their ability to keep tipsters anonymous, which is important for people who are making those calls.”
The awareness campaign launches April 1, but Crime Stoppers is ready to take tips on environmental crimes immediately, said Annis. She added that a mattress dumped at the bottom of your street would be a bylaw infraction, but waste material dumped in a local park would be considered reportable to Crime Stoppers.
People can leave anonymous tips at 1-800-222-8477, online at solvecrime.ca, on the Metro Crime Stoppers Facebook page or by texting a message to CRIMES (274637). Crime Stoppers accepts tips in 115 languages. If a reward is involved, tipsters stay anonymous by using code numbers to collect rewards.