Surge in anonymous tips – Crime Stoppers

Crime Stoppers Barbados said it has received a record number of reports as it steps up efforts to prevent crime among young people, more than double the number of tips it received last year.

Thousands of anonymous crime tips to the charity have led to nearly 140 arrests and the seizure of more than $4.7m in illegal drugs over the past 16 years, according to the organisation’s programme director, Kristen Deukett.

The 4 308 tips received have also facilitated the recovery of stolen property valued at $518 998 during the same period, she said.

When compared with last year, Crime Stoppers Barbados is noticing a steady increase in tips, she noted.

Between January and May this year, 166 tips were received, compared with last year’s 75 tips.

The programme director indicated that the organisation is not only the receiver of anonymous crime tips, but has also introduced measures to help prevent the commission of crime, particularly among young people.

She identified one such undertaking in schools: “Since the partnership of Crime Stoppers Barbados’ sponsors, Crime Stoppers Barbados has implemented its ‘Cool Yuh Head’ programme in four secondary schools in the hope of deterring youth from a life of crime, distributed flyers in one community, and erected 10 adopt-a-kilometre signs and 10 virtual screens in partnership with the Adopt-a-Kilometre Community Highway programme, Inova Media, and NewTech.”

The spokesperson for the non-profit crime-fighting body reasoned that in a small island like Barbados, there are naturally fears stemming from the “snitches” stigma.

Crime Stoppers, she said, is therefore urging members of the public to report crime in spite of fear of retaliation. 

“This is further compounded by the strained relationship between the public and the police,” Deukett said.

The 1-800-TIPS anonymous hotline creates a buffer between the public and police, she added.

Calls are answered and transcribed in a call centre in Toronto, Canada, and the information is documented in Crime Stoppers Barbados’ tip management database.

Tips are then forwarded to The Barbados Police Service, who then open cases for investigation once tips provide sufficient information to start the process.

“Once cases are opened, communication between Crime Stoppers Barbados and The Barbados Police Service becomes critical as Crime Stoppers Barbados follows up with the police regarding the status of Adopt-a-Km Community Highway programme, Inova Media, and NewTech,” she said.

“Crime Stoppers Barbados calls upon the public to put to good use its 1 800 TIPS anonymous hotline number and anonymous tip form which can be found on their website www.crimestoppersbarbados.com. 

(EJ)