Community Prevents Crime Through Anonymous Tips

Through Crime Stoppers, Toronto police seized 33 crime guns, recovered more than $3.4 million in illegal narcotics and made 139 arrests leading to 802 charges last year.

At the launch of Crime Stoppers Month on January 9 at police headquarters, Chief Myron Demkiw highlighted the program’s impact and its role in tackling emerging crime trends.

“Preventing crime and holding offenders accountable are shared priorities for Toronto Police and Crime Stoppers,” Demkiw said. “This year, we remain focused on addressing robberies, smash-and-grabs and other forms of retail crime.”

He emphasized that officers act whenever grounds exist.

“When police have reasonable grounds to make arrests and lay charges, they do so—anywhere, anytime in the city,” Demkiw said. “Public assistance makes a real difference. If you have information about a crime in Toronto, contact Crime Stoppers. You can remain anonymous and police are ready to respond.”

Last year alone, Crime Stoppers processed more than 20,000 anonymous tips. Those tips led to a 43 per cent increase in arrests, a 67 per cent rise in charges laid and a staggering 448 per cent increase in illegal narcotics seized.

Toronto Police Service Board Chair Shelley Carroll said the Board is proud to support the program’s success.

“Crime Stoppers proves that everyone has a role to play in community safety,” she said. “It empowers residents, retail workers, and businesses to anonymously report crime through initiatives like See it. Say it. Stop it. Community members are often the key to preventing crime.”

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow emphasized that Crime Stoppers plays a vital role in keeping the city safe by empowering residents to share information anonymously, strengthening the partnership between communities and police and helping prevent and solve crime across Toronto.

“This program works because it put the community at the centre and encourage people to speak up when they see something that maybe wrong or is not quite right,” she noted. “Safety is not just about enforcement. It is about opportunity, strong neighbourhoods and about everyone knowing that we are stronger together and we all have a role to play.”

With retail theft on the rise, Toronto Police, the City of Toronto and Crime Stoppers have launched a retail crime awareness campaign that includes an enhanced cash reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the resolution of retail crime cases. The reward is available from now until February 6.

“We want to empower the public to speak up anonymously and send a clear message that those who commit these crimes will be held accountable,” said Crime Stoppers Chair Sean Sportun.

That message is already resonating.

In recent weeks, police arrested 21 people across the Greater Toronto Area believed to be responsible for a coordinated retail theft operation spanning Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia.

The thefts totalled more than $1 million and were supported by a sophisticated distribution network. The accused face 175 charges.

“While the financial losses are significant, the bigger concern is the growing risk to retail workers, customers and the broader community,” Sportun said. “This is not shoplifting. It is organized, highly sophisticated crime. The proceeds often fund other more violent offences.”

In response to a spike in retail thefts last year that resulted in 3,000 charges laid, 11 Division launched Project Shelf Defence, a proactive, intelligence-led initiative aimed at reducing retail crime and improving community safety.

“The goal was to identify repeat offenders, spot trends and connect investigations so we could stop these crimes,” said Superintendent Andrew Ecklund. “Thanks to the dedication of our officers, we have successfully identified and charged a number of repeat offenders.”

One individual charged with 53 counts of theft, linked to more than $30,000 in stolen goods, has since pleaded guilty. This week, another repeat offender wanted on 50 charges, including theft and disguise with intent, was arrested.

Police are now asking for the public’s help in locating three known retail theft repeat offenders in 11 Division.

They are Ramla Shire who is wanted on six counts of Theft Under $5,000 and 12 counts of Fail To Comply With Probation, Adam Paul who is wanted on 12 counts Theft Under $5,000 and eight counts of Fail to Comply With Release Order and Flori Ciurar who is wanted on two counts of Theft Under $5,000, one count of Theft Over $5,000 and two counts of Fail to Comply With Understanding and Fail to Comply with Release Order.

Investigators are also seeking assistance in identifying an unknown suspect wanted on two counts of Theft Under $5,000.

Tips that help identify or locate these individuals may be eligible for an enhanced cash reward of up to $2,000.

Ecklund thanked the Project Shelf Defence team for working closely with local businesses and community partners.

Community partners who played an integral role in the program’s success were recognized.

They were George Browne of Global TV, Tracy Tong of Global News, Amir Atri of GardaWorld, Jason Lyall of KYCS, Maureen Harquail and Sam Cosentino of the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council, Bryan Gast and Betty Ng of Equite, Rui Rodriguez of the Retail Council of Canada, Jennifer DiCarlo of Sobeys and Al Almeida of the LCBO.

In the last year, Toronto Crime Stoppers was recognized by Crime Stoppers International with the Collaboration Award, recognizing the development and launch of the highly impactful Organized Retail Crime Awareness Campaign that brought together law enforcement, retail partners and the public to combat organized retail crime, and the Community Impact Award.

Provincially, it received the Special Project Award for the program’s Hate Crime Initiative, the Community Service Award for highlighting the successful partnership with GardaWorld and the Marla Moon Memorial Award of Excellence, recognizing Crime Stoppers development and community reward initiatives to enhance community safety.

The Toronto Crime Stoppers program was launched in 1984 after then–Chief Jack Marks asked now-retired Staff Superintendent Gary Grant, who was a sergeant at the time, to establish the initiative.

Crime Stoppers itself was founded by Canadian-born police officer Greg MacAleese while working with the Albuquerque Police Department in 1976. Frustrated by a lack of leads in a homicide case, MacAleese turned to the public for help, producing a televised crime re-enactment and offering cash rewards for information leading to arrests.

Within hours of the broadcast, tips led to the arrest of two suspects, both of whom were later convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Today, Toronto operates one of the largest Crime Stoppers programs in the world. There are nearly 1,300 Crime Stoppers programs active across close to 20 countries worldwide.