Your information could be valuable

Every call is valuable to Crime Stoppers, but if your information leads to an arrest and charge, it could bring you a cash award. Awards are set according to the seriousness of the crime and are paid in a way that continues to protect your identity and anonymity.


CALL PROCEDURE :

1. A crime is committed and you know who is responsible - We're interested in receiving tips on any crime, whether featured or not. 
2. Call the TIPS line at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)
3. Your information will be taken in strict confidence. Your anonymity is guaranteed. You never have to give your name, or have to testify in court 
4. You will be issued with a confidential code number. You must keep this number a secret to ensure anonymity; the number is your only means of identification
5. You will be asked to call back periodically so you can be updated on your tip. Be sure to refer to your confidential code number when calling
6. If your tip leads to the successful conclusion of a case, or results in someone being arrested or charged, you become eligible for a cash award if desired
7. You are instructed on how to receive your award

Be assured - Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to "call display"

Who answers when you call?
Your call to Crime Stoppers will be answered by a person not a machine. Crime Stoppers call operators are specially trained in talking to our callers. They do not use a script or fill in a standard form with your information. Each call is unique so our call handlers are responsive to your needs and the information you have.

If for any reason Crime Stoppers cannot take your call, you will not be asked to leave a message. Please ring back another time.


What does Crime Stoppers want to know?
Crime Stoppers wants your information not your name. You will be asked questions about the information you are giving us – but you will not be asked your name, address, or anything that will allow us to identify you.

Our call operators are not allowed to let the police know anything about you which may reveal your identity, e.g. if the call is about a neighbour of yours we will not disclose this. We don’t even make a note of your gender.

Crime Stoppers wants to do the best, but we need as much information as possible from you in order to pass useful data onto the police. This means that our call operator will ask you questions about what you know. This helps check that your information can be acted upon by the police – the more details they have, the more likely they will be able to take action. NEVER put yourself at risk, or abuse a position of trust to discover information about crime or criminals.


What type of questions will I be asked? 
This will obviously depend on the crime and what you know. Many of our calls are drug-related – these are some of the questions you may be asked, but it’s not an exhaustive list.

• Where are the drugs being sold?
• What makes you think they are being sold there?
• Do you know how much they are being sold for?
• When is the location the busiest?
• Is there any system used by which the dealer lets it know that they are ‘open for business’ e.g. a bedroom light on?
• Where do they keep the drugs?
• Does the dealer come out of the house to meet people?
• Do you know any of the hiding places for the drugs, in a shed / car etc?
• Are there regular cars pulling up, and do you know the license plate numbers?
• Do you know when supplies arrive? This may lead to a supplier further up the chain.
  

REMEMBER
NEVER put yourself at risk or abuse a position of trust to discover information about crime or criminals.


What happens after I’ve said all I know?
This information is then handed over to police or the Department of Natural Resources to deal with. They are the only body in law who can investigate crimes and arrest and charge people, in order to bring them to justice.

The police have to thoroughly research the information you give us in order to act on it. This ensures that information is correct and not given to us maliciously in order to set someone up. 

The police cannot get a search warrant or make an arrest based solely on anonymous information – there needs to be other intelligence that supports Crime Stoppers' information. The research they do on Crime Stoppers' information means they can use it with confidence.

Once the information has been researched, the police will allocate this to an appropriate officer or team to deal with. This could mean more research or action may be taken.


Nothing happened after calling Crime Stoppers. Why?
Remember it may take some time for the police to act on the information you have given. There may be many reasons for this - the information may be crucial to a larger investigation and an action may take place much later on, or the information may remain on file helping to solve crime at a later date. So even if you don’t see a quick resolution, don’t think your information hasn’t been of use to Crime Stoppers.


REMEMBER
Crime Stoppers is not an emergency service, and if you see a crime taking place, you should dial 9-1-1 (in Miramichi) to report it immediately. If you are a victim of crime you should report this to your local police - the phone number will be in the phone book, or go to your local station.