SUBMITTING ANONYMOUS TIPS

by phone

1-800-222-TIPS
1-800-263-6966

by internet

enter secure, anonymous tips online
Submit a Tip

Logo by Brianna Dickson | Story

Top Story

Crime Stoppers Partnership Targets Marine Safety

Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg is looking to increase marine safety by partnering with local businesses and police to ensure that local youths are safe on the water over the summer months. This partnership, which sees youths being rewarded for properly wearing their lifejackets on or around the water, is being sponsored by Don Hyde Marine (Hagersville), Proctor Marine (Simcoe), Bridge Yachts (Port Dover), Haldimand and Norfolk County Police Service Boards, Haldimand and Norfolk Ontario Provincial Police and Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg.

Pictured receiving a t-shirt for properly wearing their life jackets while out on the water are Mara Tolksdorf (in hat) and Crystal Costello (right). Also shown are Ontario Provincial Police Marine Constable Lariviere (left) and Erich Tolfsdrof (rear). Throughout the summer, youths may receive a t-shirt for practicing good marine safety through a local initiative which is sponsored by Don Hyde Marine (Hagersville), Proctor Marine (Simcoe), Bridge Yachts (Port Dover), Haldimand and Norfolk County Police Service Boards, Haldimand and Norfolk Ontario Provincial Police and Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg.

Originally launched in July to highlight provincial “Marine Safety Day” initiatives and continuing through the summer, the partnership is being utilized by members of the Haldimand and Norfolk Ontario Provincial Police Marine Units who are checking boats to ensure that marine safety guidelines are being followed. If officers find youths properly wearing their lifejackets, youths may receive a t-shirt which says, “I got caught by the OPP wearing my lifejacket.” The t-shirts are lime green and will have contributing sponsors logos on the back.

Officers will continue to hand out the shirts throughout the summer boating season. Once the supply of t-shirts runs out, marine officers will also have Crime Stoppers fishing lures and Fox 40 whistles to pass out to those practicing good water safety.

“In addition to ensuring young people are safe on the water, this initiative allows one of our key stakeholders – the police – to reward boaters for helping to reduce the number of drownings in our area and gives police a chance to interact with youth while conducting small vessel inspections,” states Gord Little, chairperson for Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg. He adds, “Crime Stoppers takes great pride in the support it receives from vital community, media and police partners; and this initiative is a perfect example of how these vital partners and Crime Stoppers can work together for the betterment of our communities.”

Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg is a community based organization which provides people with an anonymous, confidential way to relay information to investigators without ever having to get involved as a witness. The program’s toll free 1-800-222-TIPS line and online webtips are operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week and cash rewards are offered for information that leads to an arrest or charge.

Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg celebrates 20 years of crime fighting in 2008 and will aim each month to target specific issues like seniors safety, student Crime Stoppers, etc.