50 cents can’t really buy you much these days but it can help to fight crime. That’s the sales pitch from Belize Electricity Limited which this morning launched its “Stop Crime – Start Now” initiative. The utility wants to raise money for Crime Stoppers Belize and they want that money to come from you. All you’ve got to do is agree to put a little 50 cents extra on your bill. No, it won’t go into BEL’s fat corporate coffers; it’ll go to stopping crime. Here’s how it works.
Keith Swift Reporting,
The plan is for customers to donate to crime stoppers through their electricity bills. So for example if you want to donate 50 cents monthly – you’ll simply fill out this form – and every month – 50 cents - will be added to your light bill. Corporate Communications Manager Dawn Sampson explains.
Dawn Sampson, Manager – Corporate Communications, BEL
“Once a customer has pledged, that amount will be noted on their electricity bill and they can make payment when they come to pay their bill at BEL offices or any of the collection agents.”
BEL’s Chief Executive Officer Lyn Young says that as little as fifty cents a month will make a difference.
Lyn Young, President & CEO – BEL
“A small pledge of 50 cents per month, 50 cents per month on your bill can make a big difference because consider we have 71,000 customers and if we get 10% of our customers to pledge 50 cents on a monthly basis – we will be able to contribute $3,550 monthly to Crime Stoppers. So all we need is for every person that pays an electricity bill to contribute at least 50 cents.”
And Crime Stoppers Chairman Alberto Young says your fifty cents will go directly into the reward fund.
Alberto Young, Chairman – Crime Stoppers
“When you make a pledge toward the crime stoppers program you are not only contributing financially, you’re working towards a safer Belize. Know that the money is going to a program that works. I’ve been in the program. I’ve been on the board for 4 years.”
One woman with confidence in Crime Stoppers is June Gabourel. Her daughter Sherilee Nicholas was killed nine years ago. She says police have stopped investigating and so her only hope of finding Sherilee’s killer is through Crime Stoppers.
June Gabourel, Mother of Sherilee Nicholas
“I’ve never stopped mourning. I never stopped mourning. I mourn for my daughter.”
Keith Swift,
You said you’ve never stopped grieving, have you given up, have you stopped hoping?
June Gabourel,
“Never stop, not for one day. Never stop.”
Keith Swift,
Do you think that someday somebody will call in on Crime Stoppers that will give that tip that leads to the killer? It is nine years after the fact.
June Gabourel,
“Definitely. Definitely.”
Keith Swift,
What keeps you optimistic that he will caught nine years after the fact?
June Gabourel,
He will be caught. Faith is always there. Once you have faith…”
Elsie Mae Gordon also has faith. Her daughter Keisha Gordon was killed nearly four years ago. She too believes that a tip through the crime stoppers hotline will lead to her daughter’s killer.
Elsie Mae Gordon, Mother of Keisha Gordon
“Its not easier for me at all because everyday I worry about her. I wish the killer would hand himself in because its three years going for four years, next year will make four years and we haven’t found who killed her.”
Alberto Young,
“We believe that the fight against crime is everyone’s responsibility and every citizen must do their part to ensure that we will continue to live in a safe country.”
Dawn Sampson,
“As a corporate citizen we feel responsible, we feel obligated to play our role in the fight against crime. We have the means to do so and I think its very important that not only BEL but other organizations get involved in the fight against crime.”
And putting their money where their mouth is – this morning BEL’s CEO Lyn Young handed Crime Stoppers’ Chairman Alberto Young a check for $10,000.
Since its inception, Crime Stoppers Belize has solved 23 crimes. Application forms for the BEL initiative are available at BEL offices or on their website at BEL.com or Crimestoppers.org.
