Crime Stoppers - Safe School Program
They don't lurk in the dark with magnifying glasses, but despite their nonchalant appearances, they are some of the best eyes in the business. Found walking down the halls around the world, they are students, and most don't even know their potential as sleuths.
The Safe School Crime Stoppers Program is thriving throughout the Province of Ontario. In 1993, Peel Crime Stoppers established the first Safe School Crime Stoppers Program at Notre Dame Secondary School in Brampton. Since that time, hundreds of schools across the Province have followed Peel’s lead in establishing this very effective program. It subscribes to both a re-active and pro-active approach to promoting a safer school environment. Peel Region now has a total of 45 high schools on line, including the University of Toronto at the Mississauga campus, with this safe school concept in place.
How Does The Program Work?
This program allows students to provide anonymous tips to the administration about crimes in the school. The students receive a monetary reward from $5 to $1,000 if the tip proves instrumental in solving the crime. Only about 6% of the students ever collect rewards issued to them, while outside crime prevention programs report that 25% to 50% of people issued rewards collect them. These statistics reveal that the motivating factor for students is rarely money. This Safe School Crime Stoppers Program promotes school spirit, pride and responsibility and allows students to take action against victimization and crime.
This popular program is mostly found in high schools, though elementary, junior high and university age students are now becoming increasingly familiar with the concept. The success of the program often depends directly upon the support of the school administration. The more encouragement and power the administration gives the students, the more successful the program is likely to be.
What Happens With Your Tip?
Your tip is reported in writing to the police liaison officer who works with your school. This officer, with the Principal, decides whether the tip will be investigated by the police or by the school. If there is a resolution to the crime, you may be eligible for a cash reward. Student Crime Stoppers is not only about collecting a reward – it’s about being a responsible citizen.
Who Runs The Program?
The program is student-operated. A board of directors comprised of students is appointed to market and advertise the program, raise funds, review information about crimes and determine reward amounts. The members of the board never know who the victims, witnesses or suspects are. These identities are protected.
Each school is encouraged to tailor the program to its specific needs. Logos, mottoes, flyers, by-laws and other aspects of the program may be structured to fit each institution.
The students are challenged to be creative in developing the program. The only limits to the success of the program are those placed on it by these newly-initiated, amateur detectives: the students and the administrators.
A 3’ x 12’ banner plus stickers for lockers is distributed to school administrators. Each banner is placed either in the front lobby area of the school or the cafeteria. The stickers are placed inside lockers or wherever deemed appropriate. By doing this, the Crime Stoppers telephone number is always available.