HOW CSGW WORKS
- Crime Stoppers is an ALTERNATIVE method of reporting criminal activity by keeping the TIPSTER ANONYMOUS. Crime Stoppers is NOT the police. Crime Stoppers acts as the middleman and forwards your (the Tipster’s) information to the appropriate investigative agency.
- CALL Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or SUBMIT A TIP ONLINE
- Your information will be taken in strict confidence by a live call taker when you call in. Your anonymity is guaranteed. You don’t have to speak to police or testify in court.
- For tips submitted online the process is secure and a highly effective and efficient means of safely communicating with us. CSGW ensures the latest in IT protection for the program and our Tipsters to ensure anonymity and information confidentiality.
- You will be assigned a confidential code number and a password. Keep this secret. The tip taker will ask any questions necessary to clarify your information, and in the case of an online tip there is a two-way dialogue, so it will be up to you to log back in and check.
- At any time you can add information to your tip, should that be necessary. You will need your confidential code number to refer to when you call in, and you will need both your confidential code number and your password to log back into your web tip.
- Do NOT tell anyone that you reported through Crime Stoppers. This includes the police! Do NOT reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers, only provide the information on the crime you are reporting. You must protect your anonymity as well.
- An update will only be provided for tips that were successful and used to help solve a crime. It will be up to you to log back in and check.
- If your tip information is used in a successful investigation, you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000 offered through CSGW. Instructions on how to pick up your cash reward will be provided by CSGW.
IMPORTANT
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why wouldn’t I call the police?
There are a number of reasons why someone might not want to contact police with information about a crime. Perhaps they are intimidated by a uniformed officer, or don’t want to have a cruiser in the driveway for neighbours to see. They may have had a negative experience with police in the past. People with experiences with police in other countries may not have the same level of confidence and would rather not deal directly with an officer. Some are too close to the criminal activity and don’t want to be identified, as they would be identified if they dealt directly with police, and subsequently become involved in the court process.
If you don’t have a concern about speaking with police, we encourage you to work directly with them. CSGW is for people who would rather not.
What if I’m the victim of a crime?
If you are the victim of a crime you must report the crime to the police or a “Victim Services” program. A victim cannot report a crime to CSGW because the caller would need to be identified for the police report, and could also be identified by the information provided, thereby losing anonymity.
Is Crime Stoppers run by the police?
No. Although CSGW works closely with police and other investigative agencies, it is not a police program. A group of dedicated, concerned citizens make up the voluntary civilian Board of Directors and are responsible for all the decision-making and fundraising to promote awareness about the program and pay our Tipsters for their valuable information. CSGW encourages people to call with any information about any crimes already committed, those about to occur, or the whereabouts of wanted persons. CSGW is a program that allows you, the citizen, to get involved solving crime with no risk to yourself. You will never be asked your name or have to testify in court.
If I submit a Webtip to CSGW, will I be anonymous?
Yes. CSGW does not subscribe to any service or technology that will identify a Tipster.
What does CSGW do with the information I give?
CSGW acts as an intermediary and will forward the tip information to the appropriate police authorities. The police and CSGW will work hand-in-hand with the information, and the police will inform CSGW if the tip was used in their investigation to help solve a crime. Therefore, it is important for the Tipster to check back for an update.
Does CSGW offer cash rewards?
Yes. Tipsters whose information leads to an arrest or a closed case could receive a cash reward.
How much of a cash reward will I receive?
If the information leads to an arrest or closed case, the caller may be eligible for a cash reward. The reward is based on the type of crime, the accuracy of the information, the value of the seized drugs/property, and the number of charges laid. The Board of Directors will determine the reward amount. The reward will be between $50 and $2,000.
Does CSGW work?
Yes. Since the start of the Crime Stoppers concept, thousands of arrests have been made and substantial amounts of property and illegal drugs have been recovered. Check out our STATS
However, success of CSGW cannot be purely judged on statistics. The program has:
- Created a greater awareness in the community that there is a crime problem
- Provided an option for the community to fight back against crime
- Improved relations between police, media and the community
CSGW has been accepted by police as a valid and effective partner. The public has embraced the program as a viable alternative to traditional methods of providing information.
