Crimestoppers installs 922 computer

While resulting in some significant busts of illegal guns, the 922 hotline has been plagued by suspicions over confidentiality practically from the time it was launched last year. Now, with the help of the Rotary Club of Belize, the Crimestoppers concept is about to undergo an overhaul. Incoming Rotary Club President, Alberto Young, says his organisation is pleased to be part of an international effort and partner with police in fighting crime.

Alberto Young, President, Rotary Club of Belize

?The basic and essential operation of the programme is that it will work by allowing the eyewitness of a crime to provide information without releasing their name. They are given a number and if the information that they provide to the police is something that is used in putting a criminal behind bars or solving a crime, then that person receives an award. It?s all anonymous, there is no name giving, and that allows people to give more information to the police. As you know, there is a fear of providing information because of retribution.?

Patrick Jones

?How is Rotary involved??

Alberto Young

?We are providing all the necessary resources to establish the programme and to make it work. Today we are donating the first computer that will be used to store the information and provide the necessary framework for the collection of data between Belize and Miami where calls will be transferred to.?

Patrick Jones

?Is that programme already operational? Are calls now going to Miami??

Alberto Young

?No, it will be operational in mid-July. We are working on the link between Belize and Miami and B.T.L. is proving the line at no cost to the country, as well as the computer today that was provided by H2TECH and the Bank of Nova Scotia.?

Routing the calls to the Crimestoppers Florida office will ensure that the identity of the caller remains anonymous. Each caller will be given a code and if the hotline tip results in an arrest all the person has to do is identify him or herself by that code. The reward money can then be picked up anonymously. Young says that an initial contribution of fifty thousand dollars from the Ashcroft Foundation will start the pool of reward money.