You saw or heard something about a crime but said nothing. What if you could speak up without anyone knowing it was you.

This is the message from Crime Stoppers Chief Executive, Ash Kai Fong ahead of their campaign aimed at highlighting how people can help to stop crime anonymously.

“Too many New Zealanders hesitate to report crime or suspicious activity. They want to do the right thing, but they’re not always sure how,” he says.

“They could be held back by fear, uncertainty or past experiences. But staying silent doesn’t make communities safer. Speaking up does.”

Ash says that’s why Crime Stoppers New Zealand is launching a six-week campaign on Wednesday, 1 October aimed at empowering everyday Kiwis to take action, preferably via the Police’s 105 online or phone service first, but also anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

“Our campaign is about clarity, confidence, and community. Whether it’s drug smuggling, illicit tobacco, worker exploitation, drug dealing in our streets, or something else that just doesn’t sit right. Crime Stoppers offers a safe, anonymous channel to speak up without fear of retaliation or exposure.”

Crime Stoppers aren’t the Police, but support them if people don’t feel comfortable, for whatever reason, going to them first.

“We’re an independent, non-profit organisation that shares information with its partners – including Corrections, Customs, Immigration, and Police. The difference is if you can’t/won’t call them, you can call us without revealing who you are. No names. No tracking. Just your voice making a difference.”

“It takes the worry and concern out of speaking up but has the intended result of stopping crime where we live and work.”

Crime Stoppers rolls out their campaign on Facebook tomorrow, giving people an overview of what the organisation does (and doesn’t) do, how they work, what to report and, importantly, how to go about it.

There’ll be daily drops of inspiration, Monday through Saturday, and keep an eye out for their billboards around some of our towns and cities.

“Safer communities start with everyday people – that’s you,” Ash says.

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