Crime Stoppers is one of the most effective law enforcement programs to appear in the last twenty-five years. It is a non-profit organization, relying on cooperation between law enforcement agencies, news media and the public. Community support for the Crime Stoppers program in the Quinte area has been strong, from Tipsters, Police Services and Sponsors of the program.

How did Crime Stoppers begin?

In July 1976 in Albuquerque New Mexico a university student was killed during a gas station robbery. After 6 weeks of investigation the police had very few leads as to who was responsible. Police Detective Greg MacAleese thought that if the public was able to observe a reenactment of the crime on television this may lead to a citizen providing information that may lead to an arrest.

Greg MacAleese was right. A caller contacted the police Department the next day after seeing the reenactment. The tip information was enough to lead the police to the two men who were responsible. Within 72 hours of the reenactment being aired the police had solved the murder. This was the beginning of Crime Stoppers.

Crime Stoppers, in Canada, has helped to solve more than 70,000 cases since 1982 and has recovered well in excess of 200 million dollars in property and drugs. More than 40,000 arrests have been made as a result of this program.