TT Crime Stoppers wins top prizes in Canada

According to statistics provided by Crime Stop-pers’ manager Devrol Dupigny during a press conference at the TT Chamber of Commerce yesterday, the overall performance of Crime Stop-pers in TT has been successful.

From May 10, 1999, to July 31, 2005, Crime Stoppers received 15,586 calls, 8,439 actual tips, cleared 2,985 investigations, cleared 1,914 of-fences and arrested and charged 583 persons.

Approximately TT$2.5 million in stolen property was recovered (vehicles), $196 million worth of narcotics was seized, 120,000 marijuana trees were destroyed, 88 fire-arms were seized, 1,611 rounds of ammunition were seized, and rewards paid to tipsters were ap-proximately $300,000.

Successes in major offences for the year 2004 include: Ammuni-tion — 12 persons arrested, 20 cases cleared; firearms — 730 reported, 27 persons arrested, 189 cases cleared; kidnappings — 27 reported, 16 persons arrested, 36 cases cleared; murder — 50 reported, five persons arrested, 26 cases cleared; and narcotics — 1,112 reported, 79 persons arrested and 333 cases cleared. The awards were given based on the professionalism and effectiveness of the programme.

Crime Stoppers chairman Darrin Carmichael said Crime Stoppers had a significant impact in assisting TT police to make arrests in crimes that may have gone unsolved.

Other awards given yesterday included media awards for newspaper, radio and television.

Edge Advertising re-ceived two awards for best newspaper adver-tisement and best radio advertisement, and Video Associates won the award for best television advertisement.

The co-ordinator of the year award was given to Crime Stoppers’ manager, Devrol Dupigny, while five awards were given to Asst Supt of Police and police co-ordinator of Crime Stoppers, Terry Young, for productivity in the Police Service.