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Crime Stoppers Encourages Education During National Seniors’ Month
Crime Stoppers programs in Ontario have long realized the importance of seniors in our communities. With June being proclaimed “National Seniors’ Month,” Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg would like to remind members of the public that protection of this group of people is paramount and programs like “Senior Crime Stoppers” are available to assist in making communities safer.
Launched provincially in 2006, Seniors Crime Stoppers is based on the philosophy that not only can seniors take advantage of the “anonymous / cash for tips” program, but the initiative also works to educate individuals on what constitutes a crime committed against seniors and encourages the general public to report incidents anonymously by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by logging onto www.helpsolvecrime.com.
By the year 2021, it is estimated that there will be as many seniors living in Canada as there are children. This predicted dramatic growth of our senior population is unparalleled to any previous time in our history and therefore the potential exists for crimes against this group to rise as well.
Chairperson of Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg Gord Little says, “Because seniors represent one of the fastest growing populations in our community, Crime Stoppers wants to make sure that communities are educated on how they can be best prevent and deal with the issues that might affect seniors such as physical, financial, or psychological and emotional abuse or fraud.” He adds, “We encourage anyone interested in hearing more about our crime fighting program and the initiatives it offers to call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).”
A commonly accepted definition of elder abuse is "any action or inaction by any person which causes harm or threatens to cause harm to an older adult" which can be caused by a family member, friend, a caregiver, a staff member of a care facility or anyone upon whom the older person relies on for their basic needs or services. Harm can mean any physical abuse (includes sexual assault), psychological abuse, financial abuse or neglect. Seniors can also be victims of thefts, scams and frauds.
Little continues, “Because crime has no boundaries, we want people to be informed, keep their eyes and ears open and get involved to help make communities safer for everyone. And Crime Stoppers offers a viable option for those looking to pass information along to authorities.”
Originally started by Toronto Crime Stoppers several years ago in an attempt to make seniors aware of the crime fighting program and to help raise awareness about seniors’ issues, Seniors Crime Stoppers has now grown into a provincial initiative. This growth was possible after the Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers (OACS) partnered with the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services in 2006 to receive funding through the Ministry’s Safer Communities Grant program. An educational DVD was produced as a result of this partnership and circulated to all 38 programs in the province to help inform seniors about Crime Stoppers and topics such as fraud, elder abuse and neglect.
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 (8477) line and online webtips www.helpsolvecrime.com are operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week and cash rewards up to $2000 are offered for information that leads to an arrest or charge.
Since its inception in 1988 and to date, Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg has received over 8900 anonymous tips some of which have helped police to seize over $34.2 million worth of illegal narcotics, recover more than $4.9 million worth of stolen property and lay over 5000 charges. The program has paid out more than $243,000 worth of rewards for anonymous tips.