REGINA - Regina Crime Stoppers had another strong and successful year in 2024.
The organization held its Year in Review event highlighting the accomplishments of the past year on Tuesday. 2024 was the 40th year for Regina Crime Stoppers, and the year saw increased tremendous participation from members of the public providing anonymous tips to catch criminals
Kevin Bassendowski, President of Regina Crime Stoppers, provided the rundown of statistics. He said that in 2024 the organization received 832 tips, slightly higher than the 771 in 2023.
The tips resulted in Regina Police Service making 26 arrests (up from 18 the year before) with 34 charges being laid (up from 28).
Crime Stoppers also helped clear 24 cases, and a total of $7,500 of property was recovered compared to $800 in 2023.
As for the types of tips received in 2024, the highest totals were 22 per cent for drug related crime and 17 per cent for property-related offences.
Since launching in 1984, Regina Crime Stoppers has received a total of 26,948 tips resulting in 2,355 arrests. 4,240 cases have been cleared, and 1,992 charges were laid. A total of $12,217,774 of property, cash, and drugs has been recovered. There has been $306,466 rewards approved since 1984.
In 2024, Crime Stoppers approved 30 rewards, totaling $12,930. Of those, nine have been claimed to date, a marked decrease by percentage from 2023, leaving over $10,000 unclaimed.
Bassendowski said this “may indicate that tipsters are providing tips not for monetary gain, but to help the community stay safe.” He asked any tipsters to follow up with Crime Stoppers to see if they are eligible for a reward.
Bassendowski also pointed to the organization partnering with the BOLO program and Regina Police Service in 2024 to announce a $50,000 reward for information that could lead to the arrest of Daniel Atem, wanted in the murder of Roman Miller.
Bassendowski noted that reward is “only available until June 3, 2025, and if you're waiting for the right time to come forward, the right time is now.”
Regina Crime Stoppers is known for offering a way for people to provide tips anonymously about criminal activity by using the 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) line, or through its P3 app or through their website at www.reginacrimestoppers.ca.
In speaking to reporters, Bassendowski spoke of the difference the organization has made to the city.
“Well, the numbers represent, to me, a little bit more safety in Regina,” he said.
“You know, every tip that's reported, everybody's doing a little bit of their job. And it's nice to see people are actively involved in trying to make their community a little safer. We'd always, of course, like to see better numbers, but you know what? The numbers are fantastic and we're thankful for every tip we get.”
As for the overall stats for the past 40 years, Bassendowski said those numbers “prove that Crime Stoppers has worked. $12 million of property, drugs, and cash recovered is an amazing number and an amazing legacy.”
The Regina Crime Stoppers announcement took place at Regina Police Service headquarters, where community partners from RPS and from the City of Regina were among those in attendance.
At the event, Mayor Chad Bachynski announced that “the month of January has officially been proclaimed International Crime Stoppers Awareness Month.”
“I urge everyone to do what they can to raise awareness about crime prevention, and to the Regina Police Service, the media, and the numerous sponsors who make this community partnership successful, I want to say thank you.”
Regina Police Chief Farooq Sheikh praised the work and the partnership of RPS with Regina Crime Stoppers over the last 40 years.
He called them “a phenomenal volunteer agency that helps us act on information, on tips. So everything they do helps us support.”
As for his reaction to the facts and figures from Regina Crime Stoppers in 2024, Sheikh was “really impressed.”
“It doesn't surprise me, but really impressed,” said Sheikh. “But what I'm really happy when I speak to the Crime Stoppers and the team is how they're happy with the relationship they have with us. And they work with other agencies, you know, across Canada. And they say the relationship with us is second to none.”
