It has been another busy year for Crime Stoppers of the South Cariboo (CSSC).
Some folks may not realize that in amongst promoting and maintaining its TIPS lines, the local group of volunteers also puts a significant effort into raising awareness and funding for future community support.
CSSC president Marg Sarich says the local group won three British Columbia Crime Stoppers awards at its annual convention in Kamloops in May 2014.
The Crime Stoppers of the South Cariboo Society was presented with the prestigious Program of the Year Award, the Recovery Award and the Print Award.
It won the program award for having a tip-to-recovery ratio 10 per cent higher than other groups around the province, she explains.
Sarich credits its recovery ratio to the active people in the community who are aware of and use the program, as well as the 100 Mile House RCMP members who work very hard to solve crime cases.
Both the Program Award and the Recovery Award were passed along to its local RCMP liaison, Sgt. Don McLean, in recognition of his significant support in founding and ongoing work with the local Crime Stoppers since its inception.
However, Sarich emphasizes that Crime Stoppers operates “at arm's length” from the police, due to the anonymous nature of the crime prevention program.
“The anonymity of the tipster is the most important part of our program's effectiveness.”
The Print Award was presented to the 100 Mile House Free Press in recognition of its Crime Stoppers advertising and promotion.
In June, RBC presented $1,000 to Crime Stoppers of the South Cariboo and also donated staff volunteer time to participate with its members in a community cleanup project.
The Crime Stoppers of the South Cariboo 50/50 fundraiser saw the profits split with local raffle winner Irene Tinney in November, when each received $1,718.50.
Some of this money and other funds raised through its Holiday in Your Own Backyard spring raffle or donations to the group last year will be earmarked for education, Sarich adds.
She explains its primary education goal for 2015 is to hold a workshop for local youth on social media and Internet safety.
Noting the group is responsible for raising money to pay tipsters for information provided to the 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) line, she says some folks opt to leave the reward money with the group to further support its local crime prevention work.
“We appreciate and are thankful to the people of the South Cariboo for their continued support.”