Milestone year for Crime Stoppers group
Central Okanagan Crime Stopppers is celebrating 35 years of helping reduce crime in 2022.
On April 13, 1987, the Okanagan Crime Stoppers Society was incorporated. A year later, the Regional District of Central Okanagan became a partner and the organization expanded to become a Central Okanagan-wide program.
The initiative works with the RCMP, the public, media, the Regional District of Central Okanagan and a volunteer board of directors (Crime Stoppers Society) to help stop, solve and prevent crime.
Since it started, Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers has generated the following numbers:
- Tips Received: 30,717
- Arrests Made: 2,977
- Wanted Persons Arrested: 1,136
- Cases Cleared: 3,970
- Charges Laid: 761
- Illegal Weapons Seized: 69
The following are the estimated value of illegal drugs seized and stolen property recovered:
- Stolen Property Recovered: $5,195,881
- Illegal Drugs Recovered: $88,670,375
- Proceeds of Crime – Cash: $167,540
In the 35 years that the program has been operating, 988 rewards have been approved worth $325,000.
“In 2021 we were very pleased that our program was recognized and received an award from Crime Stoppers International (CSI.org) for recovering over $600,000 in stolen goods and services,” said Gerry Guiltenane, Coordinator, Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers.
“Our goal is safe homes and safe communities for all our residents and visitors. It is because of this community-based crime solving program that our citizens are helping the Police to keep the Central Okanagan a safe place to live.”
Anyone who would like to join the Crime Stoppers Society or volunteer as a director, can contact Gerry Guiltenane for more information: 250-470-6307 crimestoppers@rdco.com.