Top Stories Of 2009
Crime Stoppers Reinforces Importance of Crime Prevention
Pictured above is a group of students from McKinnon Park Secondary School Student Crime Stoppers at a “Lock it or Lose it” campaign which their club conducted in Caledonia in December 2008. Out of 263 vehicles checked, students discovered 20% were unlocked, 30% had valuables in plain view and a staggering 5 of these vehicles were discovered to be unlocked with the keys in the ignition.
January 26, 2009, Simcoe, Ontario...To help celebrate January being Crime Stoppers Awareness Month, Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg is looking to help take an even bigger bite out of crime by reducing the opportunity for criminals to strike. Traditionally known for its cash for anonymous tips formula, the crime fighting program is also stressing the importance of practicing good crime prevention techniques and is offering up posters and signage to help act as a deterrent in neighborhoods across its coverage area.
“We can’t stress enough how important crime prevention is when it comes to deterring and stopping crime from occurring in our community,” states Gord Little, Chairperson for Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg. He adds, “Criminals strike when they have the opportunity and if everyone takes the time to crime proof their property, this reduces the opportunity for the crime to occur in the first place.”
“Good crime prevention habits need not be elaborate,” says Ken Schaus, Crime Stoppers’ past chairperson. Schaus explains, “Simple things such as always locking the doors on your home and vehicles, hiding valuables out of sight and leaving lights on timers when away all help to reduce the opportunity for would-be criminals to strike. Crime Stoppers also has signage available for use in the community that, once posted, we hope will let criminals know that our community is serious about stopping crime.”
To receive more information regarding Crime Stoppers signage (sizes, etc) and how to get some for your business or neighborhood, contact the Crime Stoppers office at 1-800-222-TIPS. Tip sheets offering crime prevention strategies for both home and vehicles can also be found online on the program’s website at www.helpsolvecrime.com.
Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2008 and as part of this celebratory event, the program focused on several crime prevention initiatives including “Lock-toberfest,” a sign campaign and “Lock it or Lose it” with local high schools. In December of 2008, students in Cayuga and Caledonia conducted “Lock it or Lose it” in their communities and out of the combined 263 vehicles checked, found 20% were unlocked, 30% had valuables in plain view and a staggering 5 of these vehicles were discovered to be unlocked with the keys in the ignition. “These statistics show the need for continued education and we hope that people will take this situation seriously,” said Little.
Crime Stoppers 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 (www.helpsolvecrime.com) are operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week and cash rewards are offered for information that leads to an arrest or charge.