Manitoba Crime Stoppers continue to raise awareness of their 1-800 TIPS line and are calling on Manitobans to help them catch those criminals who continue to break the law in our communities.
If you have information about a crime that has been committed, is currently being committed, or you see or know about something that look suspicious, Manitoba Crime Stoppers is asking you to call them.
"We all know that there's a very large shortage of RCMP members in all of rural Manitoba and the more eyes on the ground, the safer everybody will be," shares Killarney resident and Board Member of Manitoba Crime Stoppers.
"We all know people that do crime or who are associated with crime, whether it be drugs or theft or drinking and driving, whatever, don't be afraid to call the 1-800 number and tell us about it."
Crime Stoppers is based on the simple principle that for every crime committed, someone other than the criminal has information about it.
Manitoba Crime Stoppers 1 (800) 222-TIPS (8477)
If somebody sees something that doesn't look right or feel right, a stranger down the street ... someone who's looking through vehicles’ windows, it's worth calling it in because it might lead to something that has already happened or it's going to be happening that's larger, says Hodge.
"If you're just looking out the window and you see someone trying to open up a car door or even getting into the car and looking around, rifling through stuff, that's worth calling into the Crime Stoppers or even to your local RCMP. Because usually that person ...it isn't the first time he or she has done that,” says Hodge.
“You'll find that people leave their keys in their cars. Sometimes those vehicles get stolen, then they get burned or they wrecked. So, it's usually connected to a larger crime or a group of crimes.”
“Let's say you see something going on down the street. There are a lot of cars coming in, you know, all times of the day and the night. Just to keep note of what time, how many cars, what color, what make ... what you know, how many people get in and out of it, how long they stay. Call that information into Crime Stoppers. Then that gives the RCMP enough material to start an investigation with.”
Manitobans see firsthand that rural crime is on the rise. Everything from quads to snowmobiles, to machinery to cattle and even grain right out of the bin have been stolen from rural properties.
Yes, rural crime is on the rise,” explains Hodge. “A lot of agricultural products are valued at a lot of dollars today. So, if you see something that just looks odd, don't be afraid to again call Crime Stoppers or the RCMP just to report what you saw, even if you don’t have enough information to tell them everything that happened, but at least that makes someone aware of what's going on in your area. And that information can add to other related call ins.”
Manitoba Crime Stoppers provides you with an avenue to safely and anonymously share valuable information with police agencies about crime in your rural Manitoba community.
"You don’t have to reveal your identity to help solve a crime," says Randy Hodge.
"And you can be assured that no one will know who you are, what crime you reported, or anything else about that," he adds. "There are only two ways of you being connected with reporting, and that is if you tell someone yourself or if you pick up your cash at a financial institution that knows you," explains Hodge. "Those are the only two ways. So, what we recommend is if you are awarded to a tip, to pick it up at a bank or financial institution outside of your community."
After I make the call what happens then?
Hodge says the caller will be asked several questions by the person who has answered the phone, "and once enough information is gathered, it will be sent to the local RCMP district and they will start an investigation," he explains. "Once someone is arrested for that crime, Crime Stoppers is then notified, and then you are responsible for calling Crime Stoppers to collect your reward."
Manitoba Crime Stoppers have been serving the citizens of rural Manitoba outside the cities of Brandon and Winnipeg since 1985, partnering with communities, the media and police agencies to help solve rural crimes. Over the past 25 years alone, Manitoba Crime Stoppers has received over 13,000 tips on criminal activity in our province.
Crime Stoppers tip lines are accessible 24/7, 365 days a year. All information gathered is passed along to local authorities. You can earn a cash reward of up to $2000 for information leading to an arrest, with the recovery of drugs, weapons, or stolen property. Your information helps to solve and deter crime and makes our communities safer.
Remember that number Manitoba Crime Stoppers 1 (800) 222-TIPS (8477)