Since its inception in 2009, Crime Stoppers USVI has brought in a little more than 2,000 tips, which resulted in more than 200 arrests, but organizers said at a press conference Wednesday that more financial support from the community is needed to keep the service up and running in the territory.
Crime Stoppers is an anonymous tip line that allows community members to phone in confidential information about crimes – those tips are passed on to law enforcement and investigated.
On Wednesday, V.I. Police Department officials described the service as a powerful tool in their crimefighting strategy and said it has led to even more direct help from local residents.
"When we got that first tip in 2009, it was jumped on right away by investigators on St. Croix, and from there, they were always asking for more information, more tips – and that has led us to what we have today," said Assistant VIPD Commissioner Thomas Hannah. "The committment these individuals have for the community is important and we thank them for their support."
According to Crime Stoppers USVI board members, the tip hotline has brought in 2,007 tips since Jan. 2009, and those tips have led to 201 arrests.
Crime Stopppers USVI Public Relations Committee chairwoman Etienne Gibbs said that 25 refugees have also been caught, with 98 illegal weapons taken off the streets. In addition, $226,871 in stolen property has been recovered, along with $318,850 worth of drugs seized. More than $150,000 in cash rewards have been approved, and $64,596 has been paid out to date, according to Gibbs.
But to pay out the awards, board members added that they need more financial support from the community. Crime Stoppers, unlike other nonprofits, has no paid staff, doesn’t receive government or federal funds, and relies completely on community donations and dues. The organization paid out $13,000 more than it raised last year, and the goal now is to have 1,200 dues-paying members that contribute anywhere from $50 to $200 to help with the rewards, Gibbs said.
"Today we have 173 of those members," he added.
Crime Stoppers USVI board chairwoman Bonny Corbeil said the organization is also looking for volunteers that could eventually serve as board members – each board member can only serve two consecutive terms, so the board needs a pool of eager individuals it can draw from – or to help with various services.
"We need volunteers to do everything from getting memberships and making people aware that we need members to providing media services," she said. "We like to match the volunteers’ roles to the skills people have, so we’re asking anyone in the community with a passion for helping to work with us."
Corbeil and VIPD officials also continued to push the community to stay involved by calling in the 1-800-222-TIPS hotline to report information. Tips can take a little while to investigate, but for the past five years, even the smallest bit of information has helped to make or break a case, Police Commissioner Rodney Querrard said.
"It could be the color of a car – even the simplest tip could be exactly what we need to get an individual off the streets," Querrard said. "And Crime Stoppers is the way to make sure that information is passed on, and passed on anonymously."
For more information, or to make a donation, email CrimeStoppersVI@gmail.com, visit www.CrimeStoppersUSVI.org and donate using PayPal, or mail donations to: P.O. Box 176, Christiansted, VI 00821.
