They are no longer at 922 but with its new number at 0-800-922-TIPS, the Crime Stoppers Hotline has been doing its part to stomp out crime. This morning Crime Stoppers held a press conference to recognize its partners in the fight against crime and encourage greater public participation. 7NEWS was there.
Chris Garcia, COO - Crime Stoppers
"Don't support crime, report crime."
And under that mantra, the Crime Stoppers organization updated the pres on its activity in the past 18 months since it was established in Belize.
Lauren Reardon Smith, Chairman
"We've had some very important successes. One of our first took place in Roaring Creek where three robbers were terrorizing the neighborhood. Somebody called them in and within 24 hours the police had caught them and Roaring Creek went back being a quiet neighborhood. Another really important success was the murder of the security guard at Fido's Bar. Somebody called that tip in to Crime Stoppers and the police were immediately focused in the right direction and they got the killer to confess to the crime."
But for the programme to continue to have success, it needs more community support.
Jules Vasquez,
Belizeans still have an apprehension abut snitching or about playing the role of an informant.
Gerald Westby, COMPOL
"I don't agree with that Jules. I think with the amount of calls, and listening to the Crime Stoppers at the meeting, they are saying that a lot of people call in and they are not interested in the money, they just want to inform on criminals. So we have a lot of law abiding citizens that are using this line so I don't necessarily agree with what you're saying."
And crime stopper chairlady, Lauren Reardon Smith says that those wanting to give tips can be assured of complete security.
Lauren Reardon Smith,
"Its completely secure. We have no idea whose called in on any tips or any cases, not even if the police were to demand who this person is because we require them as eyewitness. We couldn't. There is no way of tracing the person's call, its completely secure and confidential. Even you Jules could call in and your voice and name would never be recorded or traced."
The platinum sponsors for the crime stoppers hotline are the Belize Bank, Belize Telecommunications Limited, Benny's, Belize Electricity Limited, the Roe Group of Companies, the Belize Tourism Board, and Sagicor.
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited and Prepared for the internet by Keith Swift
