Thirty years ago on April 13, 1987, the internationally recognized community-based crime solving Crime Stoppers program was launched in Kelowna. Over a year later, on September 15, 1988 the program was expanded to encompass all of the Central Okanagan laying the groundwork to become the program it is today.
How tips are anonymously reported and information is shared from and with the public has evolved over the last three decades. Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers new website provides more crime prevention, crime solving and community awareness options for the visitor. We encourage you to explore www.crimestoppers.net
Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers empowers citizens to fight back against crime without fear of reprisal. To date, the local program has received over 23,526 completely anonymous tips by phone, text or online web tip. The new mobile-friendly website offers quick access to Report an Anonymous Tip; view or share those who are Most Wanted; read Unsolved Crimes; review Missing Persons or Volunteer and Donate to the Crime Stoppers Society. On the Hot Rec’s page, you can check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on a potential purchase to ensure it is legitimate.
Gerry Guiltenane, Crime Stoppers coordinator, said, “We’re very pleased with how the new website has developed. It’s more interactive and will enable the public to see what crimes are occurring in their community and share that information with others. The new features on our website will allow residents to report anonymously on unsolved crimes and wanted persons and contribute to help stop, solve and prevent crimes”.
Provincially, Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers is recognized as a successful, award winning community-based crime solving program working in conjunction with the police, the media and the public to help make our communities safer places to live.
Locally, Crime Stoppers is supported by two core partners: the Regional District of Central Okanagan and the Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers Society. Weldon LeBlanc, 1st vice-president with the society added: “The new website is very refreshing and enables Crime Stoppers to get messaging out to our citizens so that they can contribute in keeping our homes and communities safe from crime”.
The public is invited to check-out www.crimestoppers.net and be inspired to help prevent and solve crimes within the Central Okanagan.
