The National Capital area Crime Stoppers is in danger of dissolution as it running dangerously low on cash.
The crime stopping organization has approximately $5,000 left in its bank account, said Don Robertson, chair of the local division.
This amount is only enough to cover two or three more tips, as the organization typically offers rewards of up to $2,000 for tips that lead to an arrest or charges.
“The money will maybe last another month,” Robertson said. “I don’t want to say we’re going to die, but we do need support.”
Robertson partially blames the dwindling funds on the success of the program in the area.
He said Crime Stoppers in Ottawa has been receiving a lot of tips and as a result, have been paying out a lot more in reward money..
He also said many people think the organization is associated with the police or receives funding from the government, which is not true. Crime Stoppers is completely volunteer-run and relies heavily on public donations and money raised in various fundraisers throughout the year.
The Ottawa chapter is not the only one in Canada in danger of going under.
“Some chapters are doing well raising funds, and others, like us, are not,” he said.
Robertson said he hopes upcoming charity events, such as a roast of former Ottawa police chief Vern White scheduled for next month, will raise enough money to keep Crime Stoppers alive in the Ottawa-Gatineau region.