The Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers unit has unveiled its new vehicle – purchased with a civil forfeiture grant from the B.C. government – which will be used as a rolling crime prevention billboard to protect public safety and encourage community engagement.

Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers serves as an invaluable partner in fighting crime in the Capital Region by gathering anonymous tips that help police solve crimes. This vehicle, wrapped with graphics and messaging, will help the Greater Victoria unit carry out its function as a resource to the people of the area by heightening Crime Stoppers’ presence in the 16 communities it serves, visiting schools and public events and increasing effectiveness in crime prevention and remediation.

The Civil Forfeiture Office (CFO), which takes away the proceeds of unlawful activity and puts those proceeds back into positive community programs, awarded Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers with the $20,000 grant to purchase the gently-used Dodge Caravan and have the branding designed, printed, and applied to the vehicle.

(flickr.com)

Branding of this vehicle was a collaboration between Crime Stoppers and local students. The graphic communication class of Camosun College collectively designed the graphics that now wrap the van and will also be used for Crime Stoppers’ branding, including posters, pamphlets, and social media. Each of the 20 students participated fully in its concept, creation and completion. The class was able to apply their knowledge of digital production, photography, art direction, and project management to a project that will now have a strong visual presence within their community.

To see photos of the vehicle: https://www.flickr.com/gp/bcgovphotos/J1bd0Q

Quotes:

Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton –

“It is rewarding and right to see the ill-gotten gains of crime, seized by the CFO, be put right back into the hands of our communities and used instead to combat crime, keep the public safe and engage the community. Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers do great work – they are deserving recipients of this grant – and I look forward to seeing this vehicle used at public events to spread the word about how members of the public can actively participate in keeping their communities safe.”

Mayor of Saanich, Richard Atwell –

“Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers provides a unique service to Saanich and the rest of the Capital Region that enables communities to mobilize themselves and become part of the solution to ending crime.This tried and true effort to keep our streets safer is a testament to the great work that Crime Stoppers does, the law enforcement units with which they work closely, and the good people of our communities who are banding together to make Greater Victoria a safer place to live.”

President of Greater Victoria Crime Stopper Susan DeLarge –

“Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers’ goal is to foster public safety and help our law enforcement agencies solve crimes. Our new van, clearly branded with our contact information, will help us make sure our communities know we are a constant resource for them. If you have a tip, you can submit it to us totally anonymously by calling 1-800-222-TIPS or online at our website.You never know, your tip could be the difference in solving a crime and making your community a safer place for everyone.”

Chief Constable Bob Downie for the Saanich Police Department –

“The Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers program is a valuable resource for all policing partners within the Capital Region,involving the public in the fight against crime. The success of the program directly relates to the efforts of the two dedicated civilian program coordinators, who are responsible for all aspects of the program, including managing tips from the public, as well as the board of directors, who oversee the operations.”

Camosun College student Jeremy Vargas –

“Participating in this project with Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers has been a rewarding experience in seeing our design work come to life as it cruises the streets of the region. As students, we’re really proud to apply our class experience to a real-time public safety project. ”

Quick Facts:

• This year, the CFO awarded $5 million in grants to deserving and community-shaping organizations and projects.
• The CFO awards grants annually to organizations and projects that support crime prevention and other criteria decided yearly. The amount of grants fluctuates with the CFO’s proceeds from seizures each year.
• Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers serves Victoria, Esquimalt, Saanich, Oak Bay, Central Saanich, Sidney/North Saanich, West Shore (View Royal, Langford, Metchosin), Sooke, Saltspring Island, and the Outer Gulf Islands (Galiano, Pender, Saturna, and Mayne Islands).

Learn More:

The Civil Forfeiture Office deters unlawful activity by taking away its instruments and proceeds: http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/civilforfeiture/

Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers is a community, media, and police co-operative program designed to involve the public in the fight against crime: http://www.victoriacrimestoppers.com/

https://www.facebook.com/BCProvincialGovernment/posts/1062944887057136