The hardest part of Crime Stoppers is there are no bragging rights.
And that's why it works so well, according to OPP Const. Chris Lewis, the police coordinator of Crime Stoppers of Simcoe Dufferin Muskoka.
"We don't say what we did or how good it was or cases we solved because it might out the tipster," said Lewis.
The veteran crime-fighter joined Crime Stoppers SDM two years ago.
With 28 years on the job, Lewis has been involved in many serious criminal investigations, including the 2010 murder of Orangeville nurse Sonia Varaschin.
He wondered if he would like the "desk job" after being on the front lines for so long.
Turns out he loves it.
"There's a lot of job satisfaction in here when the tips do come in and it's responsible for solving crime and helping the police," Lewis said.
Crime Stoppers of Simcoe Dufferin Muskoka covers a huge geographical area: 110,217 square kilometres and 534,203 residents.
It's a charitable organization run by volunteers and a board of directors.
Lewis is the conduit between the tipsters and the police.
"All of the stuff that's in the brochure is 100 percent true," says Lewis of the Crime Stoppers slogan about tipsters never being identified and never having to testify in court.
Before joining the Crime Stoppers team, he never realized how easy it is for people to submit a tip and get paid for the information if it's successful.
Another surprise for Lewis was the quality of the information from the public.
It's good and moves investigations forward in a way he wishes he knew more about when he was on the road.
And he says it can save police man-hours and therefore money.
So far this year, tips have resulted in over 500 charges.
"When the police buy into the program, which we've got a great buy-in in this area, it's unbelievable how fast things move and how easily crimes get solved," says Lewis, adding that media in the region also play a critical role.
Lewis publisizes unsolved crimes and wanted people on the twitter account @CrimeSDM, another new tool he has embraced to reach out for public help.
He works with Barrie Police, Midland Police, South Simcoe Police, Orangeville and the OPP.
He has enjoyed the position so much he's staying on for a third year, even if the successes have to be kept secret.
"It's satisfying. You want to tell people what you accomplished but you can't. But the system works. We're solving crimes and that's what counts."
