The Cayman Crime Stoppers board members met members of the media at the new George Town Yacht Club The Barcadere for lunch and then the presentation.

Malcolm Ellis, the Chairman of Cayman Crime Stoppers welcomed everybody and introduced the other board members that comprised:

1. Civilian Board: Trevor Neckles (Deputy Chairman), Brian Hurley (Secretary), Ronan Guilfoyle  (Treasurer), Alan de Saram, Brad Watts, Chris Duggan, Dion Bodden, Eric Bush, Matthew Luke, Sebastien Guilbard and Shayne Howe

b. RCIPS: Stephen Brougham, Christina White and Winsome Prendergast.

Mr. Ellis then proceeded with the following presentation:

Goals and Methods

To overcome fear and apathy by facilitating anonymous tips and offering rewards.

Mr. Ellis said if Crime Stoppers were to adopt a Mission Statement this would be it.

The three pillars of Crime Stoppers programmes worldwide are:

i.   Police –  to act on the tips and provide feedback on results.

ii.   Media –  to disseminate information about crimes, rewards and generally  promote awareness of the programme.

iii.  Public –  to provide the information.

Support of the Media

a.         The Board took this opportunity to thank members of the media for their ongoing support of Cayman Crime Stoppers throughout the year.

b.         Media support is a vital component in the success of the programme and Crime Stoppers appreciated the media’s continued involvement.

Support of the RCIPS

a.   The Board acknowledged and thanked the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) for their consistent support and participation with the Cayman Crime Stoppers programme.

b.   They counted on the Law Enforcement Coordinator and other members of the service to receive and act on tips, provide feedback on results and notify Crime Stoppers when rewards are eligible for payment.

Support of the Public

a.   Tips can be (and are) submitted by either of two methods:

i.   Call 800-TIPS, that’s 800-8477. Do not dial 1-800, just 800. This is a free, local call, but is answered by the Crime Stoppers call centre in Miami, Florida, so they will not recognize the caller’s voice.

ii.   Go online to www.crimestoppers.ky and click on “Submit a Tip Online”.   Fill in the as much information as possible and click “Submit Tip”.

b.   Both methods are secure and anonymous.   Tipsters are given a code and can check back by phone or online to follow-up on the tip or check for a reward.

Rewards

a.   Cayman Crime Stoppers offers rewards up to $1,000 – the maximum amount permitted under Crime Stoppers International   guidelines.

b.   Crime Stoppers also facilitates larger rewards put forward by third parties.  Third-party rewards currently available for information leading to arrest and conviction are:

i.   $2,500 for the poisoning of dogs.

ii.  $20,000 for the Kirk Freeport Strand robbery.

iii.  Up to $50,000 for serious and gun-related crimes.

Ellis said the reward for #iii was from the Cayman Island government.

When asked how many tips they had received in 2012 he said it was about 100 and the reward money paid out was under $10,000. No one had been denied the reward money that had been deemed they were entitled to.

They had no statistics to show how many of the tips they had received had resulted in incarcerations at HMP Northward. However, Ellis said there were a number of prisoners at Northward who wouldn’t be there but for tips.

Promotional Initiatives

a.         Crime Stoppers needs to constantly promote awareness of the programme to keep the public engaged, informed and providing tips.

b.         Branded Promotional Items – Interested parties should contact [email protected] for consideration for distribution of these items.

i.   Drinks Coasters – distributed to many local establishments

ii.   Domino Sets – distributed to domino clubs and other establishments

iii.   Sports Balls – distributed to schools and youth sports clubs

c.          Online Promotion

i.    Website  –  www.crimestoppers.ky

ii.    Facebook Page –  www.facebook.com/caymanCrimeStoppers

iii.    Youth Video –  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60KMhyqvhtI

Ellis said they had no means of judging the success of any of their branded promotional items but they wanted to be visible. When they had no promotions they received no tips.

He spoke about the youth video that was launched on YouTube for the first time today. It was his project and twelve young people took part as a joint venture with Crime Stoppers and The Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce. He was very pleased with the video.

Fundraising Initiatives

a.         Cayman Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization

i.   Crime Stoppers receive no government funding to operate.

ii.   Crime Stoppers’ Directors are all volunteers.   There is no paid staff.

iii.   Crime Stoppers rely 100% on sponsorship and fundraising to keep the programme going.

b.         Sponsorship

i.   Crime Stoppers encourages individuals, businesses, service groups and community programmes to sponsor Cayman Crime Stoppers with an annual sponsorship.

ii.   Details of sponsorship levels and benefits are outlined in a brochure. See attached

c.          Golf Tournament

1. Crime Stoppers hold an annual golf tournament as their primary fundraiser for the year.

1. This year’s event is on Friday, June 7^th at the North Sound Golf Club.

1. Matthew Luke is organizing this year’s tournament, and invites sponsors to contact him for more information or to register one or more teams.  His email address is: [email protected]

1. There is an opportunity for a business to become the Platinum sponsor for this event, which includes front-page branding on all promotional material and headlining participation on the day.  Contact Matt for more information.

Mr. Luke said this year’s event was going to be the biggest yet and it was the first time they had 40 golf carts. It was always a popular event and this year would be no different.

The presentation ended with the final message. Cayman Crime Stoppers TIPS is confidential and there is no way anyone in the Cayman Islands can be identified in providing a tip. All rewards have been paid.