Crime Stoppers of Niagara

How it Works

Crime Stoppers is simply a three part approach to solving crime. Crime Stoppers relies on cooperation between the police, the media, and the general community to provide information about crime and criminals.

The Phone Call

Tips are received at the local Crime Stoppers tips line phone. This phone is a stand alone system which does not provide caller ID, and conversations are not recorded. Our Crime Stoppers Coordinator receiving the information, makes initial inquiries and then passes the information to the investigating officer or agency. Calls are accepted regarding any publicized request for information, such as "Crime of the Week" or other crime(s) the caller has knowledge of.

By ensuring anonymity Crime Stoppers allows the caller to provide information in a positive atmosphere without the possibility of retribution. By offering cash rewards for information leading an arrest, the program encourages otherwise reluctant callers to help.

The Online WebTip

Tipsters now have the option of giving us tips online. The process is completely secure and anonymous and is a very effective and efficient means of safely communicating with us in today's world.

The very unique system allows the tipster to come back and provide additional information at any time, and provides a secure means for the coordinator to ask questions or provide reward feedback to the tipster.

Structure and Funding of Crime Stoppers

Crime Stopper Programs are organized as a not for profit organization (Charity). A civilian community Board of Directors provides direction as to the financial and promotional activities of the program. The Board of Directors enhances the community involvement aspect, and its function is vital to the success of the program.

A community Board of Directors, made up of persons from throughout the area, meets on a monthly basis to evaluate arrests and to decide on the size of rewards to be paid. Cash rewards are distributed in a secure and anonymous manner. Callers are eligible for rewards up to $2,000 although many callers choose not to collect their rewards.

The reward money paid out by the program is from the fund raising and donations from concerned citizens and businesses. We rely on community participation in our fundraising events to keep the program working for Niagara.

Great Corporate Partners

F.E.Coyne Insurance Brokers Ltd. Albert Hendriks, CEO, presents annual donation to Stu Black, Executive Director, Crime Stoppers of Niagara.

Does Crime Stoppers Work?

The answer is quite simply yes. Since the start of Crime Stoppers, many calls have been received resulting in thousands of arrests and recovery of substantial amounts of property. Calls have included information about murder, robbery, rape, assaults, drug and firearm offenses.

The success of a Crime Stoppers program cannot be purely judged on statistics, however, other benefits have come to notice:

A greater awareness in the community that there is a crime problem.
A willingness by the community to fight back against crime if it is given the opportunity and motivation.
Improved relationships between police, media, and the community.

Crime Stoppers is definitely here to stay. It has been accepted by police as a valid and effective investigative tool and the public, through its overwhelming response, appears to have accepted it as a more palatable alternative to traditional methods of giving information.