Crime Stoppers making move on terrorism

Many people in the world, especially those who do not experience it first hand in their lives, don’t take terrorism seriously.

Then came that tragic day that shook the world on September 11, 2001, and since then, many have concerns about the safety of their community against terrorism.

“What used to be a single group of disenfranchised individuals spearheading acts of violence from a specific geographical location has infiltrated civilized society and now operate across every continent. Some are a mixed bag of people operating in clandestine cells while others are bands of uncivilized clans acting out their own brand of ideology. Without trying to be over simplistic, the similar ideas between them are—death is better than life and the more people who die in a strike-and-retreat attack, the better the chances of defeating those they consider their enemy.”

These were the words of Crime Stoppers International president Steve Walrath during his brief remarks at the Crime Stoppers International Conference held in Calgary, Canada over the summer as he explained the role Crime Stoppers plays against terrorism.

With it’s main concern being to fight crime, Crime Stoppers—the global leader in anonymous information gathering—has shown its intentions to and has already begun taking steps towards being at the forefront of the fight against terrorism in hopes of providing safe communities for all.

“Intelligence-based information is at the forefront of preventing today’s terrorism,” Walrath said. “We’re not a government agency, so we don’t have to get bureaucracies of government. We’re able to bring agencies together that need to talk to each other so that we can have open communication.”

Walrath explained that with CSI’s ability to attract the various entities that have roles in the combat against terrorism, Crime Stoppers serves as a venue for groups to openly exchange ideas in hopes of not only solving crimes, but preventing acts being plotted by terrorists.

“We’ve got government here, we’ve got police here, we got community groups here, and from this panel, we’re able to start a dialogue as to what are we going to do with information and how are we going to help each other in order to create a safer community,” he said.

Walrath added that information on acts of terrorism is already entering the Crime Stoppers tips line and calls for the organization to “evolve and expand our thoughts and philosophy beyond getting information to solve a specific crime, to solicit information that may prevent a crime from occurring…”

“Coordinated intelligence, based on the Crime Stoppers model of anonymity and more than one person knows about any crime or crime to be committed, working in partnership with law enforcement and the community at large, is not only our best defense, but will be the proactive solution to a safe society for this and future generations,” he told his audience.

Since it’s inception in 1976, Crime Stoppers has cleared over 1.142 million cases, with 611,807 arrests being made. Over $68.5 million of rewards has been paid and $1.5 billion worth of property received. The organization has also seized over $5.6 billion worth of drugs.

Meanwhile, the NMI Crime Stoppers program has cleared 210 cases, made 167 arrests, paid over $10,000 in rewards, and recovered $197,793 worth of property and over $2.3 million narcotics. Tips made through the program has also enabled law enforcement agencies to clear two homicide cases.