Toronto Crime Stoppers' anonymous Internet tip site has become the model for partner agencies around the world.

The online method accounts for about 10 per cent of all tips received by the Toronto chapter of the non-profit charitable organization, a number that is growing.

"We do get a lot of tips online. People seem to like the online (component) because they can be a little more detailed, spend a little more time with it," Toronto Crime Stoppers chairman Lorne Simon told CTV.ca.

The web method, which yields about 100 tips a month, has helped police solve all types of crimes, including homicide, armed robbery, sexual assault and drug trafficking.

Toronto-area residents can submit both English and Chinese forms, which include specific questions such as suspects' scars, tattoos, known hangouts and associates. Tipsters can even upload a photo of the suspect.

Teams spent a year researching and testing out the software before launching the award-winning program in October 2003.

"It's been tried, tested and true. It works," Simon says.

In York Region, which encompasses the suburbs north of Toronto, online tips have tripled to 15 a month since the January 2005 launch.

"They've been quite helpful," Det. Const. Todd Snooks, Crime Stoppers co-ordinator, told CTV.ca.

York became the first police service to use new technology that allows the information to be seen by officers as soon as it is submitted. The software, by American company TipSoft, also makes it easy for the messages to be forwarded between police agencies quickly.

The FBI is now adopting the same technology for their anonymous information programs, Snooks says.

There are now more than 100 Crime Stoppers programs across Canada.

In Calgary, the first Canadian city to start Crime Stoppers in 1982, online tips account for nearly 10 per cent of total leads received. The web approach was introduced there in early 2005.

"We find it's just a great tool, especially for young people," Calgary Crime Stoppers Association president Doug Fraser told CTV.ca.

"They're so well versed in electronic communication, they find it easy to provide information and use."

Fraser says a city such as Calgary growing "in leaps and bounds" must adapt and provide new avenues for solving crime.

Program skepticism

Crime Stoppers officials admit some potential tipsters are still skeptical of leaving information over the Internet for fear of being tracked. But they say this concern comes from the same people who are also weary of the telephone approach.

"The key to the Crime Stoppers program is anonymity, not knowing who these people are," Simon says.

"We make sure every tipster is protected and they are. We haven't had any issues with any case trying to challenge the legality or legitimacy of the online tip."

Crime Stoppers is confident in the technology and has not experienced any problems or hackers.

Snooks says the same question often arises at presentations in York Region: If you really wanted to track us, you could, right?

Crime Stoppers doesn't care where the tip comes from, and the world-renowned organization would not risk its credibility by trying to find out, Snooks says.

Just as with phone tips, tipsters sometimes try to get innocent people in trouble, but experienced police officers carefully review the information and make the appropriate decisions.

Two-way communication

The latest software also lets police reply to the tipsters with follow-up questions, all still without knowing with whom they are communicating.

In Calgary, the two-way phone and Internet approach has been helpful in the first few months since being launched.

"It just gives us that much more ability to firm up a tip and legitimatize it," Fraser says.

"We go to great, great, great lengths to ensure that the identity of the tipster is scrubbed and erased before we see (the messages)."

Officers don't see where their questions are sent, and tipsters follow up after receiving a tip code number.

Snooks says those who use the Internet method aren't skeptical because they seem to understand how the technology works.

"A lot of the people that we deal with on the online system are getting to the point where they understand the security of it," he says.

In addition, a note is sent to tipsters explaining why they're receiving a return message, followed by assurance they are still anonymous.

Educating youth and seniors

Crime Stoppers programs are trying to attract more users to the Internet tip method and regularly send officers and representatives into the community and high schools to spread the message.

The tech-savvy youth are often more attracted to the online process.

"(The Internet) is their mode of communication these days," Snooks says.

Toronto Crime Stoppers has made it their priority to inform teens about the program.

"We really want to focus on the youth. Our strength, we believe, is getting the Crime Stoppers message out to the schools, to the youth, that here's an alternative if you don't want to speak to the police," Simon says.

In York Region, Crime Stoppers feels it's also important to educate seniors, who are not as likely to use the web approach.

"We have a senior program based on the fact more there's quite a bit more crime against seniors occurring now, where they're being taken advantage of," Snooks says.

He says the elderly often fall victim to shady salespeople, telephone and online fraud and abuse at the hands of loved ones or caregivers.

Background

Crime Stoppers is run by citizens' volunteers who manage and promote the program, raise funds and authorize reward payments. Police agencies provide a co-ordinator to manage the day-to-day operations, officers to promote the school program and staff to receive tips. The media also play a vital part in the program by getting the message out to the community.

Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and calls are not recorded. Tipsters never have to give their name or testify in court.

Crime Stoppers was the brainchild of Canadian-born Greg MacAleese, a detective with the Albuquerque Police Department in New Mexico. In 1976, MacAleese had run out of leads in a murder investigation and, out of frustration, appealed to the public for help. He produced the first crime re-enactment, which aired on local television. A cash reward was offered for information. Within hours of the broadcast, a caller phoned in key information led to the arrest and conviction of two suspects who were sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole.

There are now more than 950 Crime Stoppers programs operating in 24 countries. More than 425,000 crimes have been solved since its inception and more than $2 billion worth of stolen property and narcotics have been seized.

Tips can be left 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or by contacting your local Crime Stoppers.