The quiet partner in crime fighting is getting a lot more exposure.
Thirty Crime Stoppers signs have been placed around Barrie, mostly in high traffic areas or "major gateways', so people are reminded about the program.
"It's the best kept secret in Barrie," said Simcoe Dufferin Muskoka Crime Stoppers president Rick Dodd.
"That's what we're trying to change."
The secret is the local program's excellent statistics making it one of the most successful Crime Stoppers in Canada.
Crime Stoppers officials met at city hall Monday morning with Barrie Police Chief Kimberley Greenwood and Mayor Jeff Lehman to show support for new awareness campaign.
"We encourage people to use Crime Stoppers," said Chief Kimberley Greenwood. "It's a tool that assists us in doing our job."
"We're doing it for awareness," said Crime Stoppers SDM coordinator OPP Const. Chris Lewis. "Letting residents know they can keep their community safer by reporting crime and they don't have to go to court."
"Crime Stoppers works," said Mayor Jeff Lehman, noting that Barrie is one of the safest cities in Canada. "There's a reason for this and that's because communities are committed to safety."
The Barrie signs were paid for by money raised by Crime Stoppers volunteers and are at no cost to taxpayers.
One of five new Crime Stoppers 4’ X 8’ signs was unveiled in Innisfil on Saturday at the South Simcoe Police North Division.
Crime Stoppers tip lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
People can call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a tip online www.tipsubmit.com or through our website www.crimestopperssdm.com.
Crime Stoppers SDM by numbers since it started in 1987 to Oct. 10, 2016
Arrests 4,471
Cases cleared 6,814
Charges 8,568
Rewards approved $ 338,587
Property recovered $12,367,780
Drugs seized $64,513,271
Total property and drugs $76,881,051
