Property stolen during the first three months of 1997 was valued at approximately $3.684million, according to figures revealed at the official launch of the Crime Stoppers campaign.
As per an article published by this newspaper on June 23 that year, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said he expected the figure to be significantly reduced through the establishment of the Crime Stoppers unit.
The launch attracted strong support from business leaders and political figures, including Cabinet ministers.
Mr Rabuka issued a stern warning to criminals, stating they should now think twice before committing offences.
He said Crime Stoppers provided citizens with an opportunity to assist police in maintaining law and order and stressed that it was only a matter of time before offenders were brought to justice.
The launch was further strengthened by donations totalling $35,225 in cash, the contribution of a privately registered vehicle and pledges of additional assistance.
“I imagine that many who have so far eluded the law will be sitting at home tonight worrying about whether they are really safe,” Mr Rabuka said.
“Perhaps they are saying to themselves, ‘Yes, I can run, but can I really hide?’”
Mr Rabuka said the idea behind Crime Stoppers was to build a stronger partnership between police and the public through trust and cooperation.
“Crime Stoppers is an extension of community policing in the sense that it also aims to create stronger bonds between the public and the police and to generally mobilise citizens against crime,” he said.
There were 650 calls made to the unit, resulting in 40 arrests and 12 convictions.
