A Canadian police detective with the local Police started the idea for Crime Stoppers in 1976 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Greg MacAleese was investigating a gas station hold up, which had resulted in the attendant being shot and killed. There seemed to be no leads in the murder, and after six weeks the investigation had virtually come to a stop. MacAleese believed that for every person that committed a crime there was at least one other person who knew about it. He also believed that the people who had the information did not want to come forward because of the fear of reprisal or apathy to crime itself.

There had been other types of rewards in the past buy they usually required the person to identify himself or her and they were based on a conviction. So MacAleese made his reward payable upon arrest and allowed the caller to remain anonymous by giving them a secret code. Within 48 hours of posting the reward - two people were arrested and later convicted of murder. MacAleese felt that if this type of program were to be successful in the long run it would have to be run by the community and remain separate from the police.

Crime Stoppers has three components, which work together to solve crime and to make communities safer - PUBLIC- MEDIA - POLICE.

Crime Stoppers is now world wide with over 1000 programs. This year, Crime Stoppers International received standing recognition with the United Nations. Canada has 90 programs of which 39 are right here in Ontario.

The Kawartha Haliburton Crime Stopper program has been in existence since 1989 and while it has had several name changes the premise has and does remain the same - To assist police is solving crime.

The Kawartha Haliburton Crime Stopper program receives no government funding and must rely totally on fundraising to keep the program running. Presently, there are 13 board member who oversee the running of the program. The board authorizes the amount of rewards being paid, organize fundraising events and promote the program within the community. The program has received 1055 tips and as a result has recovered at total of $12 million plus in property and taken just under $12 million worth of drugs off the street. Pretty impressive stats for a non-profit organization. The program has received more tips in the year 2005 then any other year and the coordinator contributes this to the involvement of the media. Word of mouth, newspaper article, radio announcements and public exposure have played an important role in promoting Crime Stoppers.

Kawartha Haliburton Crime Stoppers has been active in fundraising events during 2005. There was a successful golf tournament held at the Lindsay Golf Club. This was followed by our annual BBQ hosted by Scotia Bank. The First Annual Great Grocery Shopping Spree was held this year and proved to be a very successful event for Crime Stoppers.

The board is presently working hard on their next fundraising event, which happens biannually. It is called, JAIL OR BAIL. This event will have a new twist on it this year. The event is scheduled for January 21, 2006 and will involved well know citizens offering to spend time in the City of Kawartha Lakes Police Service's jail cells. Individuals will offer to go to jail if a set amount of money is raised. They will be booked and lodged in the cells for a certain period of time all in the name of CRIME STOPPERS.

Please show your support for Crime Stoppers when your approached for a donation to lock someone up this January.

Help is always needed to continue to make the program a successful one. If your can assist by becoming a board member please call, the coordinator of the program, Constable Tammy Brydon at 324-5252 ext 551. Remember, we receive no government funding and must rely totally on donations to keep the program running. You can make a charitable donation to the program at either the City Of Kawartha Lakes Police Service or the City of Kawartha Lakes OPP detachment.