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Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesCrime Stoppers USVI Logs 300th Tip

Crime Stoppers USVI Logs 300th Tip

As of Aug. 14, Crime Stoppers USVI received 300 tips since it started last year.
"It’s pretty amazing," said Bonny Corbeil, a member of Crime Stopper’s St. John arm.
This averages out to 9.27 tips a week. According to a press release from Crime Stoppers, two thirds of the tips came from St. Croix and the rest from St. Thomas and St. John.
Those 300 tips resulted in 46 arrests and the confiscation of 25 illegal weapons. Eight tips identified suspects who had committed armed robberies, seven tips were for weapons violations, seven tips were drug-related, six tips assisted in the arrest of fugitives, four tips solved homicides, while one tip each concerned a bail violation, a burglary, a vehicular hit and run, and the recovery of stolen property.
Crime Stoppers Civilian Coordinator Alan Brown noted the arrests probably wouldn’t have happened without tips from residents and the publicity the program has received.
"This means people have had enough and are doing something about it," Brown said.
St. Thomas was a little slow to get going, which is probably why St. Croix had a higher number of tips, but Brown said St. Thomas is now fully functional.
"They’re fundraising and meeting with groups to explain the program," Brown said.
St. Thomas and St. John now have a law enforcement coordinator, Sgt. Maria Petersen, to process the incoming tips. On St. Croix, Lt. Thomas Hannah coordinates the tips.
Crime Stoppers pays rewards to people who make anonymous tips to report crimes. They call the Crime Stoppers toll-free number, give their tip and get a Personal Identification Number to use so they can collect the reward when an arrest is made.
The organization raises money through memberships and donations to pay the rewards. Brown said businesses can pay as little as $50 a year to become members.
Brown said Crime Stoppers expected to meet its goal of raising $100,000 a year to pay for tips.
The organization is short of its goal of getting 1,200 people and organizations to sign up, he said. Brown said territory-wide 227 individuals and businesses have joined. St. John has the highest number of members with 101. Brown said St. Thomas has 40 plus members and St. Croix, a bit over 70.
Corbeil attributed St. John’s high number of members to the Police Department’s historic lack of response on St. John.
"And people really care about crime and what’s going on," she said.
She also noted that many of the memberships came from vacation villa owners. Periodically, St. John vacation villas have been burglary and occasionally, robbery targets.
Judi Fricks, who serves as chairman of Crime Stoppers territorial Board of Trustees, was off island and could not be reached for comment.
To make a tip, call 1-800-222-8477. That’s 1-800-222-TIPS.
Those interested can learn more about Crime Stoppers by visiting www.crimestopusa.com.

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