Crime Stoppers SA plead with State Government for funding

THE organisation that provides crime tip-offs to police is facing a cash crisis that could jeopardise their operation, prompting a funding plea to the winner of the upcoming state election.

THE organisation that provides crime tip-offs to police is facing a cash crisis that could jeopardise their operation, prompting a funding plea to the winner of the upcoming state election.

Crime Stoppers SA has been instrumental in solving tens of thousands of crimes across South Australia since it was founded in 1996.

But the not-for-profit organisation has never received annual State Government funding despite its efforts to help uphold law and order while on an “oily rag” budget.

The registered crime-fighting charity, which has provided information leading to more than 30,000 crimes being solved, has issued a public plea for urgent funding.

In its state election “submission”, obtained by The Advertiser, Crime Stoppers calls for a $2.62m investment over three years to stay afloat and expand its services.

The document states it has approached the State Government several times for funding.

“Over the course of the last two years, Crime Stoppers has brought its weakening financial situation, its severely limited ability to deliver campaigns and initiatives and, critically the prospect of not being able to continue to operate, to the State Government’s attention on a number of occasions,” it concludes.

Crime Stoppers chairwoman Sharon Hanlon told The Advertiser the funding would be used to expand operations into country areas, foster intelligence into other illegal activities such as sport corruption and workplace malpractice, as well as hire a dedicated chief executive to manage its affairs.

She said at present the organisation was managed on an “oily rag” budget.

“Crime Stoppers SA is a not-for-profit and registered charity,” she said. “One of the biggest hurdles we face is the misconception that we are a government agency or that we reside within a government department or the SA police.”

Increased funding would also allow it to expand operations into rural areas — gripped by a farming theft epidemic — and regional towns, as well as providing translation services to multicultural groups.

Currently, South Australia is the only state not to provide government funding for its state-based Crime Stoppers program while operations are managed by a board of volunteers headed by Ms Hanlon.

Police Minister Chris Picton said that he had met with Crime Stoppers SA after taking on the portfolio in September to discuss their needs.

“In June the State Government provided additional funding of $200,000 to Crime Stoppers Inc to promote a new ‘Dob In A Dealer’ campaign as a result of the Ice Taskforce. While Crime Stoppers Inc has an important promotion role, it is SAPOL who continue to staff receiving and following up all Crime Stoppers calls and tip-offs.”

Two calls among thousands to Crime stoppers in 2015 helped police identify the body in a suitcase at Wynarka in 2015.

Two-year-old Khandalyce Kiara Pearce went missing along with her mother in early 2009, with the identification of the girl’s body solving a mystery which had plagued police for years.

As well, information provided to the confidential hotline helped solve the 2001 murder of Carolyn Matthews and the 2012 cold case killing of Jayson Doelz, whose three attackers were found guilty last month.

By the numbers

30,000 crimes solved since 1996 as a result of information provided to Crime Stoppers.

$9 million in stolen property recovered since 1996.

12,873 intelligence reports generated in 2016.

3850 online reports logged in 2016.

895 apprehensions due to those reports in 2016.

1430 charges laid in 2016.

580 public reports received per week.

70 firearms seized in 2016.

8 clandestine drug labs shut down in 2016.