City council takes a bite out of Crime Stoppers' budget

The volunteers who oversee the local chapter of Crime Stoppers say they are “disheartened” by the city’s decision to cut its annual grant of $25,000.

During budget deliberations last week, city council voted to end its payment to Crime Stoppers as part of cost-cutting measures for 2024.

The entire discussion to eliminate the grant lasted less than 90 seconds.

The cut was suggested by Ward 3 Coun. Angela Caputo and supported by Ward 2's Lisa Vezeau-Allen.

"We received a report at our last council meeting that stated that Crime Stoppers only had 11 calls leading to arrests in 2023," Caputo said.

"They approved only $855 in rewards for 2023. So it seems as though the need for this service has decreased and I think we could take it off the levy."

"I understand that is kind of base funding," Mayor Shoemaker added.

"Payouts have gone down significantly.... So it is something that we haven't spent the whole amount in at least three years," the mayor said.

The organization responded this morning via press release.

"Crime Stoppers of Sault Ste Marie offers a valuable service to the people of our community and District," it reads. "While we understand that our successes may not be as visible as we would like, our numbers are a testament to our importance in the community and our guarantee of anonymity."

Since its inception in 1985, Crime Stoppers of Sault Ste Marie and Algoma District says it is responsible for taking more than 7.7 million worth of illegal drugs off the streets, recovering more than $3.9 million in stolen property, and seizing countless illegal weapons. 

"We have received over 30,000 tips from the public resulting in 4,486 arrests and approved over $500,000 in rewards for tipsters," the release continues.

Below is the full press release from Crime Stoppers:

Crime Stoppers of Sault Ste Marie and Algoma District is disheartened to learn of The City of Sault Ste Marie’s decision to decline funding for 2024.

Crime Stoppers is a not-for-profit charity operated by a volunteer civilian Board of Directors. We are not a law enforcement agency. Crime Stoppers offers the public a way to submit information about crimes that have already occurred, are about to occur, and/or the whereabouts of wanted persons, missing persons, narcotics, MNR offences, stolen property, or any other crime with a guarantee of 100 per cent anonymity.

Crime Stoppers of Sault Ste Marie offers a valuable service to the people of our community and District. While we understand that our successes may not be as visible as we would like, our numbers are a testament to our importance in the community and our guarantee of anonymity.

Does Crime Stoppers work? The answer is simply...YES! Since the inception of Crime Stoppers of Sault Ste Marie and Algoma District in 1985 we are responsible for taking over 7.7 million worth of illegal drugs off the streets, recovering over $3.9 million in stolen property, and seizing countless illegal weapons. We have received over 30,000 tips from the public resulting in 4,486 arrests and approved over $500,000 in rewards for tipsters.

Crime Stoppers of Sault Ste Marie and Algoma District will continue our fundraising efforts to continue to be able to support and promote the Crime Stoppers program across Sault Ste Marie and the District of Algoma.

Please consider donating to Crime Stoppers of Sault Ste Marie and Algoma District here. We also have a limited number of tickets available for our 2024 Trip of the Month draw available by calling 705-759-5081.

We want your information, not your name! Crime Stoppers accepts tips 24/7 at (705) 942-7867 or 1-800-222-8477. You can also click the “Submit a Tip” button found on our website or download the P3 app.