METRO Vancouver Crime Stoppers Executive Director Linda Annis is calling on anyone with any information about the recent alleged extortion-related shootings against South Asian businesspeople in Surrey to call Crime Stoppers anonymously.
“It’s important to note Crime Stoppers is not the police. We urge anyone with information to call us anonymously if they fear for their own safety and don’t want to be identified in any way,” said Annis. “We’re sensitive to the fact that some people who’ve moved here from other countries might bring an inherent distrust of the police or other authorities with them. I can’t emphasize enough we are not the police, and that it is totally safe for anyone to call Crime Stoppers.”
She noted that violent extortion attempts have been on the rise across Canada in recent months. Following a special forum Sunday in Surrey attended by representatives of the police and all levels of government, it’s clear police are stepping up resources to investigate these crimes and would appreciate receiving whatever additional information they can get to find and arrest those responsible.
“Any information is welcome. Even if the information seems minor, it could turn out to be a missing piece of the puzzle police need to solve the case. Police can’t be everywhere, and sometimes getting the right information can be all that’s needed for police to make arrests,” said Annis.
“Please be assured you can trust Crime Stoppers to make sure you’re never identified by anyone,” she emphasized. “Your anonymity is guaranteed by the Supreme Court of Canada, and you’ll never be questioned or called to testify in court. In the decades we’ve been in operation, we’ve never identified any of our tipsters.”
Since being established 41 years ago, more than 8,400 arrests have been made based on information received through anonymous crime tips provided to Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers, and half-a-billion dollars in property and drugs have been recovered.
Anonymous tips may be provided through Crime Stoppers’ downloadable “P3” smartphone app, by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at solvecrime.ca, or by following the link on the Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers Facebook page.
