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Brandon Crime Stoppers Celebrates 40 Years of Community Impact

Brandon Crime Stoppers is a community program that works with the local police, media, and public volunteers to solve unsolved crimes. The organization encourages individuals to provide anonymous tips and offers cash rewards of up to $2,000. Brandon Crime Stoppers, or BCS, is managed by a board of private citizens, media representatives, business leaders, and members of the Chamber of Commerce. BCS has made a noticeable impact by solving cases, recovering property, and seizing illegal drugs. Its success serves to demonstrate the strong collaboration between law enforcement, local media, and the community.

In 2024, Crime Stoppers received 394 tips, leading to the arrest of 46 individuals and solving approximately 120 police cases. These tips helped recover $182,165 worth of stolen property and illegal drugs. Tipsters were compensated, with $2,250 in rewards granted for their contributions.

January is recognized as Crime Stoppers Awareness Month and focuses attention on the collaboration between community members and local law enforcement. With the slogan “See Something, Say Something,” BCS encourages residents to report suspicious activity in their neighbourhoods by using the TIPS line. January serves as a reminder of the importance of staying vigilant and working together to keep communities safe. In 2025, Brandon Crime Stoppers is celebrating 40 years of serving the community.

BCS has a diverse board of directors with experience in important areas like accounting, law, and insurance. Rick Thomson, who has chaired the initiative for 29 years, explains that local police officers cannot be everywhere, so this initiative allows residents to help the Brandon Police Service make their community safer.

Anyone can leave a tip anonymously, and if the information tip has merit, the tipster could be awarded as much as $2,000. BCS works together with local law enforcement, but the program is run by volunteers and concerned residents.

To report a tip with Brandon Crime Stoppers, call 204-272-TIPS (204-727-8477). To report online, click here. For rural residents of Manitoba, call Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). To report online, click here.

Source: DiscoverWestman