By Chris Tataryn Journal/Brandon Brandon Crime Stoppers capped off international Crime Stoppers month last week with a special luncheon at the Keystone Centre. In 2011, Crime Stoppers groups across Canada helped make 153,226 arrests, clearing 249,411 police cases, recovered a total of $3,593,461,463 in stolen property and illegal drugs and paid out $13,610,150 in rewards. Brandon contributed to those numbers with 50 arrests, 68 cleared police cases, $15,537 in property and drugs recovered, and by dolling out $4,225 in rewards. “I wanted to congratulate Rick [Thompson] and the rest of the board for another great year of service in Brandon,” said Mayor Shari Decter Hirst at the lunch. “Crime Stoppers is amazing for the community. It keeps people involved in the safe keeping of their own community, which is a lot better than just being passive and leaving it all up to the police.” Since its formation in Albuquerque back in 1976, Crime Stoppers has been helping communities become safer as the organization spread across North America. It was started by police investigating a murder at a gas station robbery. After six weeks, they still had very few leads, so police thought taht 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. Investigators were right, as a caller got in touch with the department the very next day, and within 72 hours an arrest was made. “Crime Stoppers is a very valuable service to citizens and the police service,” said Police Chief Keith Atkinson. “Tips can be very valuable, and we had a few recently that led to solving some major crimes. We are pleased to see Crime Stoppers continue, and with the organization the best of luck in the future.” Rick Thompson, Chairperson of the Crime Stoppers board, thanked the community, saying that they are the backbone of a successful organization. “Crime Stoppers is all about the people, we couldn’t do it alone,” he said. “The people pass tips on to what I consider to be one of the best police services in Canada. They make the arrests and put criminals behind bars where they so deserve to be.”