By Joseph Carin [1]
BELLEVILLE — Quinte Crime Stoppers [2] says it needs more money and more public support.
[3]Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison, community advocate John Cairns (attendee), Mrs. Jean Harrison (attendee), Crime Stoppers Quinte Vice-Chair Lisa Anne Chatten standing together at the first fundraiser dinner held January 23 2017. Photo provided by Lisa Anne Chatten.
In an email interview with QNetNews, Crime Stoppers vice-chair Lisa Anne Chatten said that the Quinte chapter has seen a decline in public participation and financial support in recent years.
“We receive no dollars from government, no dollars from police services, no dollars from the city of Belleville” said Chatten.
“The operation of this program depends on the board of directors willingness to donate their time and skill sets in creating an event; as well as the public’s response and attendance to make it a success.”
The Quinte Chapter receives its funding from a few sources including annual golf tournament held in June.
“We work together really closely, and work really hard as a board, to think of new and exciting ways to engage our community; to gain desperately needed support in both the awareness part of our program, and to find the dollars needed to continue serving this massive catchment area,” said Chatten.
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Since 1988 Quinte Crime Stoppers’ tips have lead to 1745 arrests. In 2016 alone, the Quinte chapter received 609 calls with 144 charges as a result.
“We take calls from Quinte West, Prince Edward County, Hastings & Centre Hastings – and of course Belleville itself. We need the public to know that we are not the police; what we do, is provide something that is unique to our program alone – and that is total anonymity,” said Chatten.
To submit an anonymous tip to Quinte Crime Stoppers contact 1-800-222-8477.