How did Crime Stoppers begin?

In July, 1976, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a university student was killed during a gas station robbery. After 6 weeks of investigation, the police had very few leads as to who was responsible. Police investigators thought that if the public was able to observe a re-enactment of the crime on television, this might lead to a citizen providing information that may lead to an arrest.  

The police investigators were right. A caller contacted the police department the next day after seeing the re-enactment.  The tip information provided was enough to lead the police to the two men who were responsible.  Within 72 hours of the re-enactment being aired, the police investigators had solved the murder. This was the beginning of Crime Stoppers.  

Since the program started, there are now more than 1700 Crime Stoppers programs worldwide in 32 countries. The first BC Crime Stoppers program was launched in 1982. In British Columbia, each Crime Stoppers program is community based.  

The Prince George Crime Stoppers Association was formed in 1985 to serve the city of Prince George.  In October, 2020, Prince George Crime Stoppers changed its name to Northern BC Crime Stoppers and now serves over 30 communities in Northern BC, north to the Yukon Border, south to Williams Lake, west to Terrace and east to the Alberta border.

What is Crime Stoppers?

Crime Stoppers is a program that empowers regular people to fight back against crime. Anyone can submit an anonymous tip by using our tips line or website and if that tip leads to an arrest the individual will receive a reward for their efforts.  

Disclaimer: By providing information that Crime Stoppers will share with law enforcement agencies, you are providing an important and valuable public service.  We understand that disclosure of your identity might put you at risk. We do everything we can to protect your anonymity. However, that anonymity may be open to challenge in the following situations:

• A call to Crime Stoppers made with the intention of “furthering criminal activity or interfering with the administration of justice”.  A party who is guilty of a crime cannot use Crime Stoppers to try to divert the blame onto someone else.  Crime Stoppers cannot be used to try to “frame” an innocent person.
• There is evidence that disclosure of some or all of a tip is necessary to establish someone’s innocence.
• A tipster having received the benefit of full legal advice may, for his or her own reasons, elect to waive the privilege.

For a fuller explanation of these principles, help us to help you by reading and understanding the “Tipster Information” on the Canadian Crime Stoppers website.

How Does Crime Stoppers Work?

Northern BC Crime Stoppers Society follows the guidelines and directions set out by Crime Stoppers International, Canada Crime Stoppers, and BC Crime Stoppers in its day-to-day operation. Trained civilians answer calls on the toll-free tips line (1-800-222-TIPS (8477)) 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, taking completely anonymous tips on any criminal activity. 

How Can You Give a Tip?

If you have any information about a crime, call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line: 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online.