Barbadians are embracing Crime Stoppers Barbados – based on the number of tips they have been sending to that agency.
But this positive response is not stopping programme director Sherie Holder-Olutayo from asking locals to continue to reach out to the unit in spite of having offered approximately 23 000 tips over the past nine years.
“We have cleared over 300 cases, charges have been laid in 250; in terms of drugs that have been seized the quantities were valued at $2 236 780 and counting and we have recovered more than a quarter-million dollars in property,” she disclosed.
Holder-Olutayo told the NATION that the police could not solve crimes alone, which was why they needed to receive the support of members of the society.
She said it was unfortunate that a small group of individuals was enough to cause fear among a society to stop them from sending in tips.
Holder-Olutayo said the figures showed the tips paid off and while she did not downplay concerns about retribution and being victims of violence, she believed people should be more apprehensive about what could happen if those who committed crimes were left to live among the population to commit more crimes.
“When you dial the toll-free number, or you go online . . . you are assured of confidentiality. That information is not even taken, our call centres are located in North America, and we are stressing that so people can understand that there are safety mechanisms in place, so the information you are giving is safe and no one can tamper with it,” she assured.
Holder-Olutayo said tipsters could receive an award up to $1 000 depending on the nature of the crime. (DR)
