CALGARY—Based on a successful partnership in Ontario, the Canadian Crime Stoppers Association and Canada Post today announced the expansion of their current partnership in the fight against crime. 

“We are all affected by crime”, noted Hugh Nerlien, Chairman of the Canadian Crime Stoppers Association.  “Whether it’s vandalism, theft, fraud or personal assaults and other crimes of violence, they all affect our ability to enjoy life without fear and frustration.  Canada Post is taking a leadership role in my view, as a good corporate citizen, recognizing crime as an important community issue and expressing a will to assist in fighting crime.  Security and safety have always been an issue in all of our communities and it is even more important today.”

Bob Stiff, General Manager of Corporate Security, Canada Post Corporation said,  “As corporate citizens in more than 4,000 corporate offices across Canada, we recognize our role and opportunity to fight Crime.  Crime Stoppers has shown for nearly twenty years that the community can assist law enforcement in fighting all forms of crime.  We are proud to assist in the promotion of Crime Stoppers across Canada.”

With the launch of this expanded partnership which began in Ontario, Canada Post will incorporate an employee awareness program and a community awareness initiative into the partnership.  “All of our corporate retail outlets will have posters and decals indicating our support for Crime Stoppers and making our communities aware of the Crime Stoppers phone number, 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS),” added Stiff.  “Additionally, we will use our internal newsletters and web site (www.canadapost.ca) to keep our employees aware of this important initiative.”

Crime Stoppers is a community based program operated by volunteers.  Its’ role is to take anonymous TIPS (information) from concerned citizens and pass that information on to law enforcement investigators.  Callers to Crime Stoppers do not provide their identity, just information about a crime that has been committed.  If the information ultimately leads to an arrest or recovery of stolen property or drugs, the Caller may be eligible for a cash reward.  Calls are toll free. 

TIPS to Crime Stoppers in Canada have resulted in over 90,000 arrests and clearance of more than 158,000 criminal cases.  In addition, nearly $1 billion worth of stolen property and drugs have been recovered through anonymous callers’ information.  In 2002 Crime Stoppers will be celebrating 20 years of support for law enforcement in Canada.  

In November, Canada Post, the Canadian Crime Stoppers Association and InfoCrime will launch a similar partnership throughout Quebec.

   -30-