Months after territorial funding was announced to get Crime Stoppers back up and running, work is continuing to launch the program by about the end of the month, says city councillor Dan Boyd.

Boyd represents the city on a committee tasked with reviving the program, which offers cash rewards for anonymous tips on crimes that lead to arrests.

The committee is made up of a number of stakeholders aiming to get the phone line for tips and a website up and running again after the program ended in the territory in 2011.

The territory allocated $21,000 last April to re-establish Crime Stoppers Yukon.

As Boyd told council Tuesday following Coun. Samson Hartland’s request for an update on the initiative, while the funding is enough to cover the costs of getting the program going, the group has to make sure there’s enough money to cover rewards that are offered for tips leading to arrests.

Hartland’s question came “given recent events” last Friday night.

RCMP are continuing to investigate a shooting in Porter Creek that killed 32-year-old Matthew Devellano.

“It’s extremely important the community support Crime Stoppers,” Boyd said.

The organization will likely be approaching the city for some level of assistance, possibly through funding, as well as in-kind help through promotions and advertising.

Crime Stoppers operates “very well” in other jurisdictions, with about one in five tips reported leading to an arrest.

Council didn’t indicate one way or another if it would provide funding to Crime Stoppers.

Mayor Dan Curtis asked that when any requests come forward from the organization, city staff inform the group of any possible city grants that could be applied for.

Along with ensuring there’s enough cash to cover any rewards, Boyd cited challenges that come with tasks like developing a website and other such efforts – all of which take time to work through.

Boyd noted the group has made it over most of those hurdles. It’s expected by the end of the month everything will be ready to go for the Crime Stoppers Yukon relaunch.

Those providing tips to Crime Stoppers in other regions can receive cash rewards of up to $2,000 if their information leads to an arrest and charge.

Along with updating council on the Crime Stoppers initiative, city manager Christine Smith emphasized the city and RCMP work together in responding to emergencies that require city agencies like the fire or bylaw departments.

“We have a close relationship with the RCMP,” Smith said.