Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers is launching a multi-platform awareness campaign to reinforce the message that individuals can play a crucial role in fighting crime and help make their communities safer. Using social media hashtags #WorldWithoutCrime, #WorldWithoutGangs and #WorldWithoutIllegalGuns, the campaign takes an unusually lighthearted approach to the very serious issues of gang activity and gun violence in British Columbia by showing what life might look like without crime.
“We want to reach out to people who may know individuals committing criminal activity -relatives, friends, people in the hospitality industry, and even rival gangs. We want to remind them if they suspect gang activity, possession of illegal guns or other crimes are taking place they can report it safely and anonymously,” says Linda Annis, Executive Director, Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers. “Crime Stoppers has been a household name for decades but we want to connect with a new generation who may not know how our organization works.”
The province-wide campaign will reach people through more than 500 billboards and bus shelters as well as washroom posters, digital advertising in restaurants and bars, and eventually public service announcements on radio and television. There will also be an extensive social media presence on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Tips to Crime Stoppers can not only be provided by phone but through a secure server, texts, or free mobile apps. Crime Stoppers is not the police. Tips from the public are passed on to authorities to investigate. Tipsters are provided with a code number and if their information results in a charge, arrest, the seizure of stolen property or illegal weapons, or the denial of a fraudulent insurance claim, a reward of up to $2,000 may be offered.
