Ten people detained at Station Mall - again (3 photos)

Since 1990, the Great Algoma Lock-Up has raised more than $200,000 to help run the Crime Stoppers program in our area.

By making a donation of $100 or more, you can have someone locked up. As the donation increases, so does how elaborate the arrests get.

For pledges of $250 or more, officers from the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service will arrive at the specified location in full uniform with guns, handcuffs, patrol lights flashing, and sirens sounding. The 'accused' will be cuffed and escorted to the Station Mall Centre Court where they will be tried.

"The idea is to arrest people and assign a bail amount to them," said Crime Stoppers coordinator Cst. Monique Baker. "They have to raise the money, and that money goes to the Crime Stoppers program."

Locally, Crime Stoppers has paid out more than $26,500 in rewards so far this year.

Inmates are allowed their cell phones to call friends for donations, but as the jailhouse rules clearly states: Use of cell phones is strictly for fundraising, they are NOT for fraternizing. Inmates caught fraternizing will be punished.

Past inmates have been arrested for everything from verbal assault by use of bad jokes to being a Green Bay Packers fan and calling in sick with a man cold. 

"We haven't had anyone who hasn't taken it in good fun," said Baker about those arrested. "A few are surprised, and shocked then right away they're quickly looking around the room at all their coworkers and they seem to be able to pick out the ones that are the culprits."

Individuals arrested do have to face the Crime Stoppers Court in Station Mall and are put on 'trial' before a 'judge'.