UN grants Crime Stoppers consultative status

Crime Stoppers International Inc., the umbrella organization for all Crime Stoppers programs in the world, has been granted Special Consultative Status by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

The Special Consultative Status allows CSI to designate members of Crime Stoppers to serve as “on-governmental organization or NGO representatives to lend their expertise on matters being discussed at committee levels before resolutions are presented to the U.N.’s General Assembly.

“This is a great honor for Crime Stoppers International and all Crime Stoppers programs around the world,” said Steve Walrath of Beloit, Wisconsin, president of Crime Stoppers International.

“Crime Stoppers International has been a world leader in the fight against crime and we believe those who serve with Crime Stoppers in law enforcement and the volunteers from the business community and the media can contribute a wealth of experience to the United Nations, particularly in areas related to concerns of crime and the threat from terrorism,” Walrath said.

He said he expects Crime Stoppers to be working very closely with the U.N.’s Office on Drugs and Crime, which was established in 1997 and has been a global leader in the fight against illicit drugs and other international criminal activity.

Crime Stoppers has been a grass-roots organization that was formed in 1976 and now operates in more than 1,000 communities worldwide to combat a wide range of crime.

Walrath said Crime Stoppers has helped improve the quality of life by allowing those who would normally be silenced through fear to anonymously let the police know who is responsible for crime.

“The United Nations has recognized Crime Stoppers International and all those who work and volunteer with local Crime Stoppers programs for the contributions they have made to keep our streets safe and improve the quality of life and security of everyone,” Walrath said.

The special status granted to Crime Stoppers International runs from 2005 to 2008 and permits Crime Stoppers to designate official representatives to attend and make oral presentations at public sessions of committees at the United Nations’ headquarters in New York City and in U.N. offices in Geneva and Vienna. In addition, representatives from CSI can attend U.N.-sponsored conferences and meetings worldwide.

Crime Stoppers International is also required to submit quadrennial reports from the various regions in the world where Crime Stoppers programs are now operating.

To obtain accreditation with the United Nations, Crime Stoppers International had to submit detailed information outlining the work CSI does in various countries as well as providing financial statements.

The board of directors of Crime Stoppers International agreed to seek NGO status after reviewing the mandate of the United Nations’ Office on Drugs and Crime to assist countries in the struggle against illicit drugs, crime and terrorism.

Crime Stoppers International and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime share the view that globalization has created an environment where illicit drugs, crime and terrorism can flow easily across borders.

In an effort to combat these problems the UNODC is working to improve treaties between countries, establish more effective judicial cooperation, create prevention and counter measures against illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse, focus attention on human trafficking and other forms of organized crime, money laundering, corruption and terrorism.

The board of Crime Stoppers International believes they can assist by helping UN committees get a better understanding of the impact of drug trafficking and other crime at the street level as well as improving awareness and increasing knowledge of any criminal activity that affects people in communities.

The UNODC says it has worked closely with non-governmental organizations through the years and recognizes the powerful influence groups like Crime Stoppers International exert on public attitudes and social values.

They said their field offices are currently working with more than 1,200 NGO’s around the world in the effort to counter drug abuse. (PR)