Who will help stop Coast crime? | Fraser Coast News | Local News in Fraser Coast

Jim Kirk, police liaison officer Milton Leitch and Geoff Ransom say the Crime Stoppers committee desperately needs members.

KARLEILA THOMSEN

WITH so much crime happening in Hervey Bay, Jim Kirk cannot understand why residents won’t support their local Crime Stoppers committee.

While all Crime Stoppers calls go through to Brisbane, local committees across the state are responsible for promoting the charity organisation, which lets people report crime anonymously.

But the Fraser Coast committee is struggling to attract any members in the Whale City.

“We’ve got to raise the funds for rewards and we’ve also got to promote the logo and get the number out there,” said Mr Kirk, committee chair of 16 years.

These days the committee has just seven members who volunteer their time and they are all Maryborough residents.

Mr Kirk says he has even stopped holding regular meetings in the Bay because people failed to attend.

“There is so much crime going on there so it’s a bit strange, really,” he said.

Crime Stoppers Qld is currently celebrating its 20th year.

In the 2008-09 financial year, 41,810 calls were received which led to 1842 arrests and 4230 charges being laid. Those figures put Qld ahead of the other states’ success rates.

“It’s a tremendous and worthwhile organisation,” Mr Kirk said.

“We do fundraising through things like bowls days and we do get support from the public but we just haven’t got anyone on the ground.”

One of the main hurdles is getting people to realise Crime Stoppers is not connected to the police, he says.

“People are frightened to ring because they are worried the police can check on them but it actually protects the identity of the caller.”

A bowls day will be held at Maryborough Bowls Club on April 11 to raise cash for the organisation.

Those wanting to join the Fraser Coast committee can call Mr Kirk on 4121 4183.