Brandon Crime Stoppers ‘taking care of crime’
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Brandon Crime Stoppers received 364 tips last year — a number slightly higher than usual, the board chair said.
“We would usually be in that 300 zone. This year at 364, we are a little bit higher than normal,” Rick Thomson told the Sun following a Brandon Crime Stoppers sponsor appreciation luncheon at the Victoria Inn on Thursday.
“We don’t like to say that’s a good thing, but on the other hand, we are taking care of crime, and that’s all that kind of matters,” he said.
Brandon Police Service Deputy Chief Greg Hebert addresses attendees during a Brandon Crime Stoppers sponsor appreciation luncheon at the Victoria Inn on Thursday. (Matt Goerzen/The Brandon Sun)
The majority of the 364 tips in 2025 were in relation to warrants for arrest with 82 tips, drug-related offences with 55 tips and theft under $5,000 at 28 tips, Thomson told the packed room.
Five tips about homicides were received.
Thomson, who started as a board member more than 30 years ago, highlighted the non-profit’s 40-year history in Brandon, which offers cash rewards for successful — and anonymous — tips on unsolved crimes.
The Brandon Crime Stoppers board is one of the 1,700 across 32 countries, Thomson said.
He said Crime Stoppers started in 1976 with the vision of one detective, Greg MacAleese, in Albuquerque, N.M. While trying to solve a murder-robbery, the detective decided to do a TV re-enactment, and within 72 hours, the public came forward with tips that led to two arrests, he said.
“Det. MacAleese’s vision of using the public worked and has been working ever since.” Thomson said.
Brandon Police Service Insp. Greg Hebert took the stage and acknowledged “the three pillars that make Crime Stoppers successful” — the public, the police and the media.
He said the success of the program is directly driven by tips from the public.
“We appreciate every tip, regardless of how small and insignificant it may seem, as you never know if it’s the last piece of the puzzle to solve the problem.”
Hebert thanked the members of BPS for solving crimes and keeping the city safe, and the media for getting the message out to the public.
Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett said the luncheon, which included BPS members, correctional centre staff, paramedics and various media organizations, represented how “our community works together.”
“It’s embedded in our community. It just exists. It is part of what we do now,” he said.
Thomson, in an interview after the luncheon, said “the beauty” of Crime Stoppers is the anonymity. He said he doesn’t think Brandon Crime Stoppers would have received so many tips if it wasn’t anonymous.
“People don’t want to be known as a tipster,” Thomson said. “There’s certain things you can do, and the public loves you. You could be an actor, you could be a singer, whatever it may be … but a tipster, they don’t want to be recognized.”
By being anonymous, he said it allows people to speak up.
“It’s like going to the grocery store and holding the door for an older lady. It’s just courtesy, right? We need more of that in the world, more respect … and I think Brandon does a good job.”
People can submit anonymous tips to Brandon Crime Stoppers by calling 204-727-TIPS (8477) or online at www.brandoncrimestoppers.com.
» sanderson@brandonsun.com