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Few people would turn down a cash reward for doing something good for society.
But it happens more often than you'd think.
Tipsters - anonymous individuals who provide tips to help solve crime through Crime Stoppers - aren't claiming their cash rewards.
Only 422 out of 900 awards have been claimed by anonymous tipsters.
The Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers (COCS) approved 900 awards totaling $305,000 since its inception in 1988.
When asked why people aren't coming forward, COCS coordinator Gerry Guiltenane said many people don't want to get noticed for their good deeds.
"Some people are just being good citizens and they just don't bother claiming their reward. That's just it," said Guiltenane.
In 2017, $7,000 in rewards was approved for the Central Okanagan, but not all of that was distributed.
If a tipster doesn't claim their reward, that money remains in the vault for future awards.
The funds are raised through community events including golf tournaments and a document-shredding event that helped raise $2,000 last year.
The amounts given to individuals range from $100 to $2,000.
"Rewards vary and depend on the severity of the crime," said Guiltenane.
The degree of risk also plays a role in the amount.
"If the tipster feels that they are at some risk of providing it, that also goes into the amount provided."
The COCS is celebrating 31 years of operations and since 1988, its racked up the following numbers:
- Tips Received: 25,715
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Arrests Made: 2,760
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Fugitives Arrested: 978
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Cases Cleared: 3,737
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Charges Laid: 664
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Weapons Seized: 42
However the largest contribution has been made through seizing $88 million of illegal street drugs and recovering $4.3 million of stolen property.
The COCS attributes its success through the anonymity individuals are provided for contributing tips to help the RCMP make arrests and ultimately, close cases.
"It is because of this community-based crime solving action that our citizens are helping the police to help keep the Central Okanagan a safe place to live."
January marks Crime Stoppers Month across Canada.
For more information on the COCS, visit the website.
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