Crime Stoppers’ longest serving volunteer on the Sunshine Coast has been recognised for his 30-year service.
A former Queensland police officer, Neil Behm joined Crime Stoppers Redcliffe in 1989 before moving to the Coast in 1993, where he continued volunteering for the program.
Over the past three decades, the 77-year-old Currimundi resident has spent many hours working with Crime Stoppers to help local police reduce and prevent crime.
Neil was recently recognised for his service at a special Crime Stoppers Queensland awards event in Brisbane.
“I am proud to have been part of Crime Stoppers Queensland for the past 30 years and will continue to provide my service to the community,” he said.
“I am very honoured to be recognised for my service to the organisation but it’s the tireless efforts of all our volunteers that make our work so successful across the Coast.
“Crime Stoppers has had a big impact on the Sunshine Coast in helping to solve and prevent crimes from occurring.
“My wife Denise Behm joined Crime Stoppers 20 years ago, when I retired from the police force and together we’ve been helping to reduce crime across the region.
“It is such an important service, giving people the confidence that they can confidentially report crime or suspicious activity. We always welcome new volunteers to our branch.”
Neil and Crime Stoppers Sunshine Coast were part of a team that assisted in Queensland’s biggest ever missing person’s investigation for teenager Daniel Morcombe.
Time and money invested in finding Daniel, including coordinating donations, was led by the Sunshine Coast Crime Stoppers area committee. Crime Stoppers’ efforts and the ongoing mission of Denise and Bruce Morcombe led to the launch of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation in 2005.
Crime Stoppers has been part of the Sunshine Coast community since 1990 and is the most trusted information receiving service for people wanting to report unsolved crime and suspicious activity.
There are 22 dedicated volunteers who are a vital link between the local community and the Crime Stoppers program.
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They ensure the public know they can trust the organisation with their information, know when to call, and understand that anonymity is assured.
Crime Stoppers Queensland CEO Carmen Jenkinson said volunteers like Neil played an active role in the ongoing success of the program in keeping the community safe.
“Neil has made an enormous contribution over the past 30 years and is a vital part of the social fabric of our organisation, dedicating three decades to building a safer community,” she said.
“As a worthy role model, Neil has dedicated his time and expertise to Crime Stoppers, to assist police in solving and preventing crime.
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“Each year, Sunshine Coast Crime Stoppers volunteers help to build stronger and safer communities now and into the future.”
As a registered charity, Crime Stoppers Queensland relies on corporate partnerships, government funding, local fundraising activities and personal donations.
It is a member of the national Crime Stoppers Australia collective of eight organisations operating in each state and territory.
Crime Stoppers has recently partnered with the Australian Government to promote a permanent national firearms amnesty, encouraging Queensland residents to play their part in preventing firearms falling into the wrong hands.
To the support the amnesty, Crime Stoppers Queensland has launched its Illicit Firearms Campaign, working with communities across the state to safeguard, educate and eliminate the threat of illicit weapons being used for criminal activity.
In an emergency, call 000. If you are reporting a crime committed against you, call 131 444. For all other reports of crime and suspicious activity, contact Crime Stoppers Queensland on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersqld.com.au/make-a-report and remain anonymous.
