Fran Myles, chair of Manitoba Crime Stoppers and a Portage la Prairie resident, says the organization is unique in Canada for offering citizens a way to report crimes anonymously while also earning potential cash rewards.
“Manitoba Crime Stoppers is the only organization in the country that provides an outlet for citizens to report crimes safely, anonymously, and hopefully accurately, and receive a reward if the information they provide results in an arrest,” says Myles.
She explains that callers remain completely anonymous unless they choose to reveal themselves. Those whose tips lead to arrests are paid in cash, typically by walking into a designated bank or credit union, that you designated as a location you prefer, and providing a code number.
“The rewards are paid in cash and it’s paid basically anonymously,” notes Myles. “You walk into a bank or credit union or place that you’ve designated and say, ‘I am number 426749,’ and they hand you an envelope and you walk out.”
Tip line vital to program’s success
Manitoba Crime Stoppers’ 24-hour tip line is central to its work, but maintaining it is costly. To help cover these expenses, the group is organizing its first-ever golf fundraiser in partnership with Southport Golf Club.
“We’re hosting a golf tournament for all the people who’d like to come out, play golf, have a good time and enjoy themselves,” adds Myles. “It will be a fundraiser to help support the tip line that we work so hard to keep going.”
She notes the major expense is the phone line, giving rise to the need for fundraisers.
Rose Carrier, a community volunteer helping organize the event, says golfers can register now for the tournament happening Saturday, June 14.
“They come in at 9:00, golfing starts at 9:30, and it will be over probably about 12:30. Lunch is included with your fee of $75 for the day,” says Rose.
Portage a leading source of Crime Stoppers tips
Manitoba Crime Stoppers chair Fran Myles says Portage la Prairie continues to be one of the province’s leading sources of anonymous crime tips.
“On an average month, Portage tops the list for the number of tips we receive,” says Myles. “Sometimes, Steinbach comes close, but more often than not, Portage is number one.”
Myles says tips from the city consistently help RCMP piece together details that lead to arrests and property recovery. She estimates Portage residents have contributed hundreds of actionable tips each year, forming the backbone of the organization’s province-wide efforts.
“Portage alone accounts for a significant portion of tips from outside Winnipeg and Brandon,” she adds. “It’s amazing how many times something happens in Portage and connects to cases in Thompson or other communities. It shows how effective this system is.”
In just the past month, Crime Stoppers tips have led to the recovery of roughly $10,000 in stolen property and narcotics in Manitoba. In one case, Myles says, a tip connected to multiple crimes led to a reward payout of $400.
Tips don’t just come from one community. The program receives calls from across Manitoba—from Churchill to Thompson, Morden, Winkler and beyond. And while not all tips are usable, many are.
“People are calling,” says Myles. “We know the system works.”
She encourages people to call 1-800-222-TIPS at any time to report information. Tips can be about things seen or heard—what matters is providing actionable details.
“It’s not a gossip line. You actually have to know something, and you have to have specific details to support that so that the police can actually use it,” she adds.
Sponsorship opportunities still available
The fundraiser is also accepting sponsorships. A shared hole sponsorship is $250 and includes two golfer entries and lunch. A full hole sponsorship is $500, which covers four golfers and lunch.
“We're looking for more hole sponsors and lots of people,” says Myles.
Southport Golf Club is donating the space and handling registrations. Those interested can contact Amber at 204-870-9653 to sign up.
Myles says this is the first Crime Stoppers golf fundraiser they've ever done, and she’s grateful to the Portage community for pitching in to help.
“I went to all of my friends and the people I know in Portage and said help, and Rose was very, very kind,” she says. “This is the first time we've tried this.”
Crime-solving impact felt across Manitoba
While exact figures aren’t always tracked publicly, Myles says the impact is real.
“In the last ten years, we’ve recovered over a million dollars’ worth of stolen property,” she notes.
Recent RCMP data shared with the group show that just last month, around $10,000 worth of goods were recovered due to tips. One of those tips, involving multiple drug and property crimes, led to a reward payout of $400.
“We’ve had one case where the cash tip was delivered by hand in a parking lot,” says Myles. “In the reverse of a drug deal.”
Public support makes a safer province
Myles emphasizes that Crime Stoppers operates independently and does not duplicate the work of any other agency.
“We are unique, and we don’t overlap with anybody else’s activities,” she adds. “Crime Stoppers is what happens after the crime. It’s how we respond and help police solve cases.”
She says public support helps fuel more tips, leading to more solved crimes and safer communities for everyone.
“Playing golf is a good way to help,” Myles concludes. “The more people who know about our program, the more tips come in. The more tips come in, the more crimes are solved, and the safer we all are.”