Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers highlights ‘hero’ tipsters in new ad campaign

Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers (MVCS) is taking inspiration from Hollywood for its latest “Guns and Gangs” ad campaign.

MVCS Executive Director Linda Annis says there will soon be able to spot a series of fake movie posters meant to pay tribute to “hero” tipsters.

One poster called the “Gunman’s Barber” is a tribute to a barber who helped “put a killer behind bars.”

Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers has launched a new ad campaign, highlighting “hero” tipsters. (Photo courtesy Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers)

Another features “The Drug Dealer’s Neighbour,” whose tip helped send a “criminal to jail.”

Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers has launched a new ad campaign, highlighting “hero” tipsters. (Photo courtesy Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers)

The third poster’s hero is the “The Gang Member’s Gym Buddy,” whose tip helped land “a heavy sentence.”

Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers has launched a new ad campaign, highlighting “hero” tipsters. (Photo courtesy Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers)

The campaign is all about highlighting tipster heroes in hopes that others will also be encouraged to anonymously come forward.

“This latest poster, billboard, social media, in-theatre, and TV campaign is a unique twist on classic movie posters. The aim is to reach anyone who knows someone involved in illegal activities, or has key information, and wants to do the right thing – but won’t tell anyone for fear of reprisal,” a news release states.

Linda Annis with Crime

The MVCS says the main people they are looking to attract with the new campaign are significant others, family members or non-criminal friends, and “causal acquaintances” like people in the service industry.

“They all may know something. Anyone can be a hero,” Annis said.

“Since 2016, tipster Crime Stoppers have credited for more than 216 gun and gang-related arrests, and that’s in Metro Vancouver alone, and the seizure of 313 illegal weapons.”

There are multiple ways for locals to submit a tip to the organization, including through Crime Stoppers’ app or by calling 1-800-222-8477.

“We don’t want to know your identity or where you’re from, we just want information that can help police to solve crime,” Annis said.

With files from OMNI News