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Crime Stoppers Thanks Community Partners
April 22, 2010, Simcoe, ON - Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg thanked vital community, media and police partners at the program’s annual appreciation due on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at The Greens At Renton. Approximately 80 guests were thanked for everything they did to achieve safer communities throughout 2009.
The 2010 Crime Stoppers “Tom Stackhouse Memorial Award” which celebrates corporate sponsorship was awarded to Erie Mutual Fire Insurance Company at the Crime Stoppers Appreciation Luncheon on April 22, 2010. Pictured at the award presentation are (left to right) Erie Mutual Chairperson Warren Burger; Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg Chairperson Gord Little; Erie Mutual board member Roydon King and Erie Mutual board member Robert Diwell.
Gord Little, Chairperson for Crime Stoppers says, “This event is our way of saying thanks to some of our major sponsors and community supporters who work tirelessly to help keep the Crime Stoppers program running strongly in our community.” He continues, “Because many individuals and businesses give freely of their time and finances to support Crime Stoppers, the program has been able to achieve great success locally and has made our area a great place to live, work and raise a family.”
Several awards were presented at the event including the “Tom Stackhouse Memorial Award,” which celebrates corporate sponsorship. This year’s recipient was Erie Mutual Fire Insurance Company because of the many years of outstanding support and sponsorship they have given to Crime Stoppers. Erie Mutual Chairperson Warren Burger and members Robert Diwell and Roydon King were present to accept the award.
Crime Stoppers awarded its “Bill Courtnage Memorial Award,” which celebrates outstanding civilian commitment, to Steve Baxter. Baxter was recognized for his guidance and support of the Student Crime Stoppers program at McKinnon Park Secondary School (Caledonia) where he teaches and has served as the program’s teacher liaison for the past 7 years.
Also presented at the event was the annual “Law Enforcement Recognition Award.” This year’s award was presented jointly to Ontario Provincial Police Detective Constable Tammy Plummer and Ontario Provincial Police Detective Constable Derek Bowles. Both officers were credited with investigating anonymous tips throughout 2009 which lead to the seizure of thousands of dollars worth of illegal narcotics.
Crime Stoppers also presented individual appreciation plaques to members of the local media in thanks for all the work they do to promote the crime fighting program on an ongoing basis. The program also drew attention to the various awards which were received by local media throughout 2009 including international awards for The Dunnville Chronicle, The Sachem and Rogers TV; and provincial awards for The Lakeshore Shopper and Rogers TV.
Several other members of the community were thanked for their commitment to the program in 2009 through participation in various fundraisers, special events and donations including Scotiabank, Simcoe for their outstanding support of the program’s annual golf tournament.
Because Crime Stoppers gives individuals an anonymous, confidential way of getting information to authorities without ever having to get involved as a witness, the program appeals to a large number of people. Since inception in 1988, over 9300 anonymous tips have been received through the local program. Some of these tips have assisted investigators in seizing more than $37 million worth of illegal narcotics, recovering over $4.9 million worth of stolen property and laying more than 5100 charges – all in the areas of Tillsonburg, Norfolk and Haldimand! Cash rewards paid to local anonymous callers to date have totalled over $249,000. Tipsters are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by logging onto www.helpsolvecrime.com.