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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday January 26, 2007 - 7 Key to Crime Stoppers program is anonymity of tipsters Continued from page 1 Callers are never asked to give their names or testify in court, and Crime Stoppers of Halton doesn't subscribe to call display. Organizers say what makes it a success is the three-fold partnership between the Halton Regional Police Service, the community and the media. People tend to minimize the role they can play in solving crimes, Gold said, adding the reasons some people don't call to report crimes can range from apathy to a fear of reprisal to simply not wanting to get involved. But there's one thing he wants the public to know. "There has never in the history of Crime Stoppers been a report of a tipster being identified," he said. Gold said he's always been intrigued by policing, but originally wanted to become a psychologist and then a photographer. He decided to pursue policing after working as a youth counsellor for Alberta social services. "I was looking for some really meaningful work -- something that would have an impact on people's lives in the community," he said. Gold has now worked within the Halton Regional Police Service for more than 20 years. He started as a patrol officer in Georgetown in 1985, and then moved to the Milton station where he worked from 1989 to 1990. Following that, he trans- Crime Stoppers' tips lead to 30 arrests By Stephanie Thiessen SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Last year was a good one for Halton Crime Stoppers, with tips provided by the public up more than 10 per cent over the previous year. That's great news, said Det. Gary Gold, the local Crime Stoppers coordinator, because it means the public is becoming more aware of the program. Last year, 645 tips were received, compared with 583 in 2005 -- resulting in a 10.6 per cent increase. "The program's being utilized more than it was the year before," Gold said. And, evidently, better public awareness leads to better crime fighting results. Last year, 30 people were arrested thanks to residents who took the time to call Crime Stoppers of Halton with helpful information. That's two more than the year before. Last year, 88 charges were laid resulting from tips, compared with 53 the year before. Fewer cases were cleared this year, but Gold said that's because there was a large fraud with multiple victims in 2005. January marks Crime Stoppers Month, a time to educate the public further about what the organization's all about. Crime Stoppers allows citizens to anonymously report crimes or provide tips via phone or Internet. Information that leads to an arrest may make the tipper eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000. Perhaps surprisingly, Molly Kaye of Halton Crime Stoppers said the majority of callers don't claim their cash rewards. Last year, $4,450 was distributed, with $3,900 given out in 2005. Callers are never asked to give their names or testify in court, and Crime Stoppers of Halton doesn't subscribe to call display. Crime Stoppers of Halton is a nonprofit, charitable organization managed by a volunteer board of directors. This year marks its 19th anniversary. Since its inception, 1,713 cases have been cleared due to tips received from the public, and more than 700 arrests have been made. More than $14 million worth of drugs have been seized, along with almost $2 million in property recovered. Organizers say what makes it a success is the partnership between the Halton Regional Police Service, the community and the media. Crime Stoppers month is celebrated in more than 20 countries around the world, and was officially designated by Crime Stoppers International in Alberta in 1986. Anyone with information on a crime is asked to call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit www.haltoncrimestoppers.com. ferred to Burlington where he worked for about 10 years in various positions including as a village constable and on the bike unit. Stints in the regional traffic and marine units followed at police headquarters in Oakville. In 2000, Gold became a high school liaison officer for a couple of years and then moved to educational services where he became part of the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program, which is presented to grade 6 Halton students. Det. Frank Phillips was the previous Crime Stoppers co-ordinator, a position he held since 2005. He has now retired. "Frank did a great job here. He's a real people person," Gold said. As for what lays in store, Gold said he's looking forward to embarking on a new challenge. "I think there's a great deal of opportunity for growth here... My goal is I hope to make this place better when I leave than it was when I started." Anyone with information on a crime is asked to call 1800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit www.haltoncrimestoppers.c om. -- Stephanie Thiessen can be reached at sthiessen@miltoncanadianchampion.com. Come In From The Cold Watch for our Pre-Season Vermont Castings BBQ Sale Coming Soon! "MASONRY & FIREPLACE DESIGN SPECIALISTS" w w w. c o b b l e s t o n e m e m b e r s . c o m Town embarks on four-year strategic plan Oakville's newly-elected mayor and council will soon begin the process of developing a strategic plan to guide the town through the next four years. The strategic plan, which will incorporate recent work done on long-term master plans in the areas of transportation, the environment, parks and recreation and north Oakville, is intended to reflect the council's priorities for the coming term and identify goals for action. A series of meetings will be held through February and March, including a public meeting to gather community input on March 21 at 7 p.m. The town will spend about $30,000 to hire an external facilitator to lead sessions, and is expected to have a plan ready for council approval by mid-May. If you have a news tip or story idea, call the Oakville Beaver at 845-3824. ACROSS FROM RONA LANSING 905.337.2066 406 SPEERS RD., OAKVILLE PUBLIC AUCTION HERITAGE AUCTIONEERS INTERNATIONAL CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CERTIFIED N.W.T. CANADIAN DIAMONDS Certificate for highest insurance discount issued by MTO. Classroom also available in evenings and weekends. Our in-car sessions include training on highways, freeways, night-time, collision prevention and winter driving. FREE pickup from home, work or school for car lessons. Special preparation & evaluation for the Ministry Road Test. Fleet of new model cars, flexible time seven days a week. Early Road Test arranged, GI & G2 refresher courses. 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