Halifax police launch new tip line for reporting violent crime

Halifax Regional Police launched a gun violence tip line on Friday to make it easier for people to share information on violent crime.

According to a news release, the line will be active 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The confidential phone line will be monitored by a team from the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division, the release said.

Police Chief Dan Kinsellatold CBC Radio's Information Morning in April that the tip line was a step toward tackling a spate of violent crimes in recent months.

The victims included two children. Eight-year-oldLee'Marion Cainwas shot and killed in Dartmouth on Dec. 21, 2021, and an 11-year-old was injured in a Halifax houseduring a drive-by shooting.

"We are exploring every avenue to progress these investigations, and we need help from the community," Kinsella said in the release.

"We hope that providing a more direct and confidential conduit to the investigative team will make people who have information more comfortable with sharing what they know."

Lindell Smith, chair of the Halifax Board of Police Commissioners, said Friday it is important to do anything that encourages people to share informationabout violent crime.

However, Smith said having more access to police may not make people in communities that have been historically distrustful of law enforcement come forward with information.

"Unfortunately, there's still that culture of no snitching," Smith told CBC Radio Information Morning Halifaxhost Portia Clark.

"A tip line may help, but we know that even when money is involved with Crime Stoppers, it still doesn't bring people forward."

Smith said people in some communities fear repercussions if they speak to the police.