Top Story
Local Crime Stoppers Program Receives Top Provincial Honors
Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg proved recently that not only is it one of the best crime fighting programs in the local area, but one of the best in the province as well. Celebrating achievements made during 2008, which was also the program’s 20th anniversary year, Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg recently received several top honors from the Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers including best in the province for its overall achievements, its coordinators, webpage and media partners.
“These awards are some of the highest that can be bestowed upon a Crime Stoppers program by our provincial organization,” says local program Chairperson Gord Little. He adds, “A lot of hard work and dedication from our many volunteers, partners and supporters went into making 2008 a very successful 20th anniversary year for our program and we couldn’t be more proud of everything that Crime Stoppers has achieved in our local communities.”
The Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers awarded the coveted “Marla Moon Memorial Award of Excellence” to Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg in recognition of the organization’s overall excellence throughout 2008. Presented for the 100,000 – 300,000 population category, this is the sixth time that the program has been honored with this prestigious award (previously awarded for 2006, 2005, 2004, 1998, 1994 and an honorable mention in 2000).
Adding to the list of accolades, local program coordinators – Constable Hal Brown and civilian Lisa Wies – received the “Coordinator Achievement Award.” Presented to only one program each year, this award celebrates exceptional commitment to Crime Stoppers, leadership, integrity, dependability and initiative. Brown and Wies were given the award jointly because of the outstanding partnership that the two have forged in the development of the local program since starting to work together in January of 2008.
The program’s website www.helpsolvecrime.com also won an award for “Best Webpage Design.” Developed and launched in 2008 with a completely new look, the website not only gives the public vital information about the program, but it also serves as the portal for people to make anonymous tips online. The site was designed by Caledonia’s Jeff Cunningham of SlypigPro, who also received international recognition for work done with the program in 2001.
Local media were also honored with top awards for both print and television. Rogers was given an award for “Best Special Feature in Television” for their unique weekly Crime Stoppers show titled City Watch. The Lakeshore Shopper was also recognized with a “Best Crime of the Week” feature in print for their outstanding weekly “crime of the week” segment.
Coordinator Constable Hal Brown states, “Crime Stoppers is an effect program because it works in partnership with so many dedicated and committed individuals who all come together for the betterment of our community.” Civilian coordinator Lisa Wies adds, “Because Crime Stoppers gives people the anonymous option for getting information to investigators, it empowers people and encourages them to get involved without fear of retaliation.” Brown continues, “The resulting messages sent to criminals is that crime will not be tolerated in our communities.”
The majority of the awards won by the program were presented recently at the 23rd annual Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers annual training conference in Barrie where over 150 delegates from across the province gathered along with several special dignitaries including Crime Stoppers International President Gary Murphy and Canadian Crime Stoppers Association President Ralph Page .
The program won a total of five provincial awards for 2008, bringing the total number of awards won by Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg; since its first award in 1990; to 130. All awards (except the Coordinator Achievement Award which is presented to only one program per year) were presented for the program’s population category (100,001 – 300,000).
Crime Stoppers gives people an anonymous, confidential way of getting information to investigators without ever having to get involved as a witness and cash rewards up to $2000 are paid for information that helps to solve a case. The program’s toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) line and www.helpsolvecrime.com webtips are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
There are currently 38 Crime Stoppers programs in the province of Ontario. By the spring of 2009, provincial statistics showed that over 85,000 cases had been solved as a result of Crime Stoppers tips and more than 1.5 billion dollars worth of stolen property / narcotics had been recovered / seized throughout the province.
Since the local program’s inception in 1988, Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg has helped investigators solve more than 3500 cases, has assisted in the seizure of over $34.2 million worth of narcotics and has assisted in the recovery of more than $4.9 million worth of stolen property.