Crime Stoppers SA welcomes renewed funding commitment by Police Credit Union

South Australia’s most successful crime-solving and prevention partnership is expected to go from strength to strength following a renewed 3-year commitment by Police Credit Union as major funding partner of Crime Stoppers SA.

The announcement comes as Crime Stoppers SA releases its half-year results, which saw nearly 10,000 calls received in the first 6-months of the year and more than 2,800 online reports. Over 6,000 information reports were taken from the community and nearly 6,500 actions issued to police for investigation, resulting in seizure of firearms, clandestine labs and arrests of people for murder, armed robberies and violent assaults.

Crime Stoppers South Australia Chair, Ms Sharon Hanlon, said the renewed commitment from the organisation’s major funding partner provided financial stability for the charity, and she encouraged other South Australian businesses to follow Police Credit Union’s leadership by also getting behind the volunteer-led organisation.

“Our many successes can only be achieved thanks to commitment from valued partners like Police Credit Union because that support means we can continue to empower the community by encouraging people to share what they know with us without saying who they are,” Ms Hanlon said.

“The Police Credit Union team have been genuinely committed to working with us for a safer South Australia, and extending our partnership for another 3 years assists us to meet essential operational costs associated with maintaining our hotline, website and rewards program and helps with the development of a range of community engagement campaigns,” she said.

“As a charity we work hard to make every dollar count, and we have been recognised at state, national and international levels for our ability to creatively develop and deliver crime-solving and prevention programs on a budget to catch wanted fugitives, solve cold case murders, stop bushfire arsonists, raise awareness about car and property theft and so much more.”

Police Credit Union Chairman, Mr Alex Zimmermann, described the major sponsorship announcement as a key highlight of the organisation’s 50-year anniversary.

“At a time when many organisations appear to be doing it tough, we are particularly proud to give back to the South Australian community through this renewed partnership commitment and strengthen our long-standing connection with SA Police by supporting Crime Stoppers,” Mr Zimmermann said.

“We have a well-established 50-year track record of supporting police, nurses, paramedics and other frontline responders, who have shown incredible bravery and resilience in the face of the pandemic. We have tailored products and services for those working across the emergency service and health sectors, and our support of Crime Stoppers is another way we can help create a better community,” he said.

“With an average of 25 crimes solved every week in South Australia as a result of information by the public, we see real value in supporting Crime Stoppers because we know that crime and the fear of crime impacts on the confidence of the State. Now, more than ever, it is important for us to come together as a community and do all we can to make sure we can live safely and free from harm, and help hold those who choose to do the wrong thing accountable for their actions.”

“We look forward to working alongside Crime Stoppers in supporting better communities and partner with them on a number of important regional and metropolitan crime solving and prevention campaigns over the years ahead.”

The 3-year agreement follows a successful initial 3-year partnership between Crime Stoppers SA and Police Credit Union originally announced in 2017.

Other half-year results released by Crime Stoppers SA include:

• 9,795 calls to the hotline and 2,828 online reports;

• 6,914 information reports;

• 6,460 actions issued for investigation by police;

• 286 apprehensions;

• 228 contacts about cold case murders

• 60,234 visitors to the Crime Stoppers SA website and 185,565 page views.

The number of drug and firearm seizures attributed to Crime Stoppers SA from January to June 2020:

• Cannabis plants: 7,714

• Cannabis: 318.9kg (equating to 127,560 street deals - not including plants)

• Clandestine drug labs: 5

• Methamphetamines: 191.5 grams (equating to 1,915 street deals)

• GHB: 5.3 litres (equating to 5,300 street deals)

• Firearms: 20

More about Crime Stoppers SA can be found at https://crimestopperssa.com.au  

More about Police Credit Union can be found at www.policecu.com.au

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