Top Stories Of 2008
Crime Stoppers Celebrates 20 Years of Fighting Crime in Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg
January 3, 2008, Simcoe, ON - January not only marks Crime Stoppers Awareness Month around the world, but locally, this month also represents 20 years of fighting crime for Crime Stoppers in the counties of Haldimand and Norfolk and the Town of Tillsonburg. To celebrate this special anniversary, Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg is kicking off the year by raising awareness about the non-profit organization and what it has achieved since being formed in 1988.
“We are very proud of everything Crime Stoppers has accomplished locally over the past 20 years,” said Gord Little, Chairperson for Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg. “The goal of Crime Stoppers is to reduce crime by giving people an anonymous, confidential way to get information to investigators without ever having to get involved as a witness and our statistics certainly reflect the success that the program has had in our communities.”
In twenty years, over 8000 anonymous tips have been received through the local 1-800-222-TIPS tipsline. Some of these tips have assisted local investigators in seizing more than $30.7 million worth of illegal narcotics, recovering over $4.1 million worth of stolen property and laying more than 4800 charges – all in the areas of Tillsonburg, Norfolk and Haldimand! Cash rewards up to $2000 are also offered for information that helps to solve a case and to date have totalled over $219,000 being paid to anonymous callers.
Because Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization owned by a volunteer civilian board of directors, the community is the backbone of the program. Two other very important partners - the media and the police - complete the partnership.
The program was originally incorporated locally in 1988 by a founding board of directors totalling twelve. Members of the board (which now has a capacity of 18 directors) come from all walks of life, represent the different geographic regions across the program’s area and each have the same goal – safer communities for all. This board owns the program and is responsible for raising all funds needed to run the program including reward payouts, promotion and special programs like Student Crime Stoppers.
Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg has many special events planned for 2008 to help celebrate the program’s anniversary including the introduction of a special 20th anniversary logo which will be launched mid-January. The program will also aim to target specific issues each month like seniors safety, Student Crime Stoppers, property crimes, etc. For more information on the crime fighting program or to book a guest speaker, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or log onto www.helpsolvecrime.com.
