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Crime Stoppers makes a difference I'm interrupting the Driving 101 series this week to get out this timely message concerning Crime Stoppers. January is Crime Stoppers Month worldwide. Since it's inception in New Mexico in 1976, Crime Stoppers has expanded to operate more than 1,000 programs in more than 20 countries. Every 14 minutes somewhere in the world a community-minded individual-- much like yourself-- helps to solve a major crime through the use of Crime Stoppers. Crime Stoppers assists in the recovery of more than $700,000 worth of stolen property and narcotics EVERY DAY! In one way or another crime has affected everyone at some point in their lives. It is normal for us to feel we are powerless to do something about crime, or fear the consequences of reporting criminal activity to police. Crime Stoppers is easy, it's anonymous and it's up to you. Since 1988 Halton Crime Stoppers has received more than 8,190 tips, which have lead to 736 arrests, 141 charges, 1,713 cases cleared, $1,884,157 in recovered property and $14,013,325 in seized narcotics. A total of 836 rewards have been approved for tips received from community-minded individuals like you. Last year alone Halton Crime Stoppers received 645 tips. These are statistics that couldn't have come about without community involvement. These statistics also prove that there is something you can do about crime without giving your name or having to go to court. Const. Chris Borak If you have knowledge of a crime or criminal activity, you can anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit www.haltoncrimestoppers.com for more information. Just tell them what you know, not who you are. Crime prevention cannot occur without community involvement. Let's put the "community" into our "community policing" programs. Form a Neighbourhood Watch, get to know your neighbours, have interest in your children's lives, participate in Operation Identification, report aggressive driving through Road Watch, volunteer within your community, join Communities on Phone Patrol, join a Community Policing Committee, or anonymously call Crime Stoppers. Contact me for crime prevention tips at 905-878-5511 extension 2470, or by e-mailing chris.borak@hrps.on.ca. Please reserve the 911 system for emergency calls only. --Const. Chris Borak is the community support officer for District 1