January is Crimestoppers month here In Orillia and Simcoe County and Muskoka.
In fact Crime Stoppers police co-ordinator Dawn Martin says Crimestoppers is celebrated right around the world during the month of January.
She says last year was a fantastic year with an increase in calls of 220 for a total of 2,607 compared to 2,387 in 2009.
These tips resulted in 186 arrests and 229 cases being solved.
Martin says most of the calls last year were drug related and the dollar-value of drugs seized this year was more than six million compared to approximately $3.5 million last year.
She says one of the reasons for the increased number of calls dealing with drugs is more public awarrness and citizens understanding more about the impact of illegal drug use in the community.
Martin says volunteers are the reason Crimestoppers is so successful.
The organization collects anonymous tips from the public on crime and if the information provided leads to an arrest, the tipster is eligible for a monetary reward.
Martin says in the Orillia area they are in need of more volunteers to help maintain their tip line and continue to educate the public about just what Crimestoppers is all about.
Anyone interested in getting involved can contact Donna Dahr at 726-2237.
