Who killed Crime Stoppers?

Phone calls to Crime Stoppers ACT averages between 350 – 450 calls per month. The On-line report capability through the Crime Stoppers website each month averages between 30 – 60. We are particularly pleased with the willingness and readiness of Canberrans to provide information to Crime Stoppers. These reports usually relate to information that the public has about the various crimes reported in the media, or criminal activity or suspicious behaviour that they have either witnessed or learned of themselves. ACT Policing take all these reports seriously, and often, the information or tip provided by the public will enable Police to investigate or follow up. Examples of reports from Canberrans include arson and property crime investigations, robbery, sexual assault offences, and information relevant to other State and Territory Crime Stoppers jurisdictions. A typical outcome of these reports might be a search warrant, which is used to gather evidence for the prosecution. The reason why Crime Stoppers works is because the calls and on-line reports can be made anonomously – we need information, not informants. Not having to give a name helps to overcome any fear of reprisal that a member of the public may have when reporting what they know. Also, some people can be complacent and don’t want to be involved or make a fuss – through Crime Stoppers they can offer what they know – for it might be the vital clue, perhaps a rego number or description of the perpetrator, which could help Police solve the crime. (We hope to be able to provide some regular call statistics on our new website). For more information on Crime Stoppers, visit http://www.act.crimestoppers.com.au/cs/about/crime_stoppers_really_works.jsp

I have often wondered if any readers have used crimestoppers, be it the website or the phone number. I notice police almost always put a call out to ‘witnesses’ through crimestoppers at the bottom of their media releases for all events from armed robbery to road crashes. Has anyone here ever come forward, or know someone who has? If so, how did it rate? I’ve never been in the position to use crimestoppers myself, and I am curious.

Sorry Johnboy, but it was me; and I must apologise for the mess the ACT Region Crime Stoppers (ACTRCS) site has become for the moment. The ACTRCS Board has ventured into new territory with the creation of a new national Crime Stoppers website, with all State and Territory Crime Stoppers jurisdictions adopting Websites with a similar look and feel. Unfortunately, ACT had to go live a little early, for our old website needed closing down because of some ‘hosting issues’.

We are beginning to fix our new site – and will add fresh content and upgrade much of what’s already there. We didn’t have direct access to our old website and had to rely on third parties to update it (at considerable cost). But now we do – however, as all ACTRCS Board Members are ‘civilian volunteers’ it will take us just a little time to ‘resurrect’ the site. We are currently working with ACT Police to update the content and we expect it will continue to provide Canberran’s with news and advice on crime events locally where we need public assistance to help solve crime.

Please note that the ‘Report Crime On-Line’ function is working. These reports go direct to ACT Police for their immediate notice – their advice today (Monday) is that the information they’re been receiving from the new website is of great assistance and value.

The ACTRCS Board thanks the Canberra Community for their patience. We appreciate your strong interest in our activities and look forward to any helpful suggestions and advice.

I heard that Bob Marley killed Crimestoppers but I’m pretty sure he didn’t DDOS the deputy.