Crime Stoppers Barbados aids in arrest of 25

Tips called in on the Crime Stoppers hotline are taken by international operators based in Canada.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, March 12, 2010 – Crime Stoppers Barbados is counting its first year of operation as an unequivocal success. 

Since its start in February 2009, citizens have used the Crime Stoppers network to help the Royal Barbados Police Force to nab 25 criminals and solve 34 cases on its books, one of those cases being closed this year already.  

The tips received assisted the police in solving a variety of crimes, including drug-related offences, murder, robberies, burglaries, thefts, escaping lawful custody, criminal damage and traffic violations. 

“Crime Stoppers has received 357 tips over the last year – 244 called-in tips and 123 tips online – and I would credit our high level of anonymity with giving so many Barbadians the confidence and the willingness to become part of this national crime fighting effort,” said Chairman of Crime Stoppers Barbados, Anthony Phillips.

He said that while Barbadians remain largely committed to the crime fight, many people do not readily report what they know for fear of becoming victims of reprisals or victimization. He said the anonymity provided by Crime Stoppers removes the need for fear.

Tips called in on the Crime Stoppers hotline are taken by international operators based in Canada who have no way of knowing who the callers are, Phillips explained. 

“I think our successes to date should also help to silence those who doubted whether the international tripartite model of the people, the police and the media working together to solve crimes could succeed in Barbados,” the Crime Stoppers Chairman said.

He has also expressed gratitude to media houses which donated freely print ad space and air time to assisting Crime Stoppers in getting its messages out; as well as those business houses which made much needed contributions to keep the reward bank topped up and the Crime Stoppers secretariat functioning. 

Phillips promised that the public would see more and varied outreach efforts from Crime Stoppers as it seeks to encourage all citizens to continue to promote a crime free Barbados.