REPORT RAPPORT

DATE:	23 April 2012
TO/DEST:	Executive Director, Ottawa Police Services Board
FROM/EXP:	Chief of Police, Ottawa Police Service
SUBJECT/OBJET:	RESPONSE TO OUTSTANDING INQUIRY #I-12-01: REPORT ON CRIME  STOPPERS

RECOMMENDATION

That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.

BACKGROUND

At the Ottawa Police Services Board meeting on March 26, 2012, Vice Chair Durrell asked that a report be brought back to the Board detailing the effects the Service would suffer should Crime Stoppers cease to exist.

DISCUSSION

The National Capital Area Crime Stoppers (NCACS) Program is an operational success within the Ottawa Police Service (OPS). The program is experiencing financial difficulties that place its long term sustainability at risk. The non-profit, volunteer-run organization relies on donations from private citizens and local businesses to pay for tips that help the police solve crimes, making our communities safer.

Over the past two years, the OPS Crime Stoppers Section has never been more successful:

· Tips have increased by 30%; the success rate is even better and has increased exponentially;

· Crime Stoppers in our area has been responsible for helping the police with 4,598 arrests in 2010 and 2011 which translates into:

· 4,907 criminal cases solved,

· 7,964 criminal charges,

· the recovery of $11,760,412 worth of crime related property,

· the seizure of drugs in the amount of $79,516,521, and

· getting 417 firearms off the street.

· New partnerships have been introduced (by-law, universities, colleges, social services, Ministry of Revenue, the Ottawa Humane Society and television partners CTV, Rogers, TVA, v Télé);

· A new OPS tip distribution/tracking system was created;

· An updated website has been launched (http://crimestoppers.ca);

· Introduction of the program into the local school system; and,

Year	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011
TIPS RECEIVED	3,185	3,080	2,719	2,760	3,364
ARRESTS	112	168	108	52	89
CRIMINAL CASES CLEARED	91	141	70	43	172
CRIMINAL CHARGES	235	412	185	424	522
$ RECOVERED PROPERTY	$222,457	$1,155,820	$26,523	$178,253	$142,441
$ NARCOTICS SEIZED STREET VALUE	$3,413,610	$5,012,245	$1,341,646	$4,084,068	$27,602,190
RECOVERED FIREARMS	9	44	6	5	15
$ AWARDS APPROVED DOES NOT INC. REARRANGEMENTS	$23,275	$25,275	$15,550	$13,795	$15,765

· A successful media strategy was achieved with regular posts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube reaching a younger and more connected demographic.

2010-2011 Statistical Overview

Crime Stoppers is a vehicle for the public to provide information to the police with the guarantee of anonymity. The reality is that some people don’t like or trust the police. Most people think of Crime Stoppers as dealing with drugs and stolen property, but Crime Stoppers is involved with a lot more, for example:

· Break and enters/home invasions;

· Pedophiles, online child luring and exploitations;

· Gang activity and illegal firearms;

· Domestic violence and sexual assaults;

· Government and police corruption;

· Child and elder abuse; and

· Homicides.

There are also those who fear retaliation. Crime Stoppers provides a way for those people who normally would not call the police and who would normally not participate in the judicial system. For example:

· Sex trade workers and people within the drug subculture;

· The child who is being molested by a family member;

· The senior citizen who is physically or financially abused; and,

· Youth in general.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

The Ottawa Police Service remains committed to Crime Stoppers.  This is demonstrated through the following in-kind support by OPS:

Estimated yearly budget

Salaries – one full-time Sergeant ($97,000) and one full-time civilian member ($51,000)	$148,000
Office and utilities, including hydro, telephones, heating, internet, cable	$15,000
Paper and other office supplies (paper, ink cartridges)	$300
Vehicle support (gas and maintenance) – car belongs to Crime Stoppers but is maintained by OPS	$3,000
Conferences and Training	$2,000
TOTAL	$168,300

CONCLUSION

Crime Stoppers is an effective community mobilization tool. Removing Crime Stoppers from the “crime solving toolkit” would certainly reduce anonymous crime-submitting opportunities. The loss of this program would result in the need for the development of other strategies to obtain tip information anonymously. It would obviously take time and effort for citizens to become familiar with and to trust an entirely new approach.

The success of this program demonstrates that its demise would have a significant impact on OPS endeavours to fight crime. Ottawa citizens can take comfort in knowing that this extremely effective crime-fighting organization greatly enhances the safety of our communities.

(Original signed by)

Charles Bordeleau

Chief of Police