WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1: Crime Stoppers Bermuda has today launched a new campaign to increase public awareness of how the organisation works

John Drew, Chairman of Crime Stoppers Bermuda, said: “While we have seen an increase of over 52 percent in calls taken so far this year, compared to the whole of last year, research has shown that many people are unaware of exactly how Crime Stoppers works.

“Our aim is to reach out to the entire Island and explain the process, thereby reassuring the general public that anyone can safely and anonymously submit information to Crime Stoppers.”

Up until now, Crime Stoppers has relied on publicising the organisation through posters, radio tips and the occasional newspaper advertisement, but after conducting some research, decided that a more educational approach was needed.

With funding from the Concerned Business Community group, Mr Drew said the group was “taking a more strategic approach to reassure potential callers that they are guaranteed anonymity and confidentiality”.

“Our new campaign will kick off with the arrival of the Crime Stoppers team from Miami-Dade, who will be in Bermuda on December 2 and 3 for an orientation visit and to attend our AGM. These are the people who receive and process all calls coming in from Bermuda, Miami and the greater area of Florida, and other Caribbean islands such as Bahamas, Cayman and Barbados, so we have arranged for them to appear on television and radio to talk about their role and how they process the information they receive,” added Mr Drew.

The campaign also includes delivery to every household in Bermuda of a brochure and fridge magnet to make it easier for anyone to have instant access to the Crime Stoppers telephone number and website address.

“Any piece of information, no matter how small, might be that final piece of the ‘jigsaw’ that can solve the crime,” said Mr Drew. “Most people who call Crime Stoppers Bermuda do not want a reward - they just want to provide information to assist our police or Customs to catch the criminal without identifying themselves and not be involved in any court case.

“Although we do give rewards up to $2,000 cash for information that leads to an arrest, and with the support of the Concerned Business Community, we have a major reward of up to $100,000 for information that helps arrest and convict individuals involved in firearms incidents.”

In addition to the campaign, Crime Stoppers has joined forces with Neighbourhood Watch groups to create a new road sign that incorporates both organisations’ logos and information, to provide better visibility and encourage people to form new Neighbourhood Watch groups in their areas.

“We are looking at all of the ways we can positively interact with and encourage the community to become involved in making Bermuda safe again,” said?Mr Drew.