January is Crime Stoppers Awareness month

Taking the Crime Stoppers vehicle in local parades is one way of raising awareness about the organization. Laura Curtis, left, and some of her helpers were ready for a Santa Claus parade. (Contributed Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

The more eyes the better could be seen as an underlying philosophy of the Crime Stoppers program.

This international program started in 1976 in Albuquerque, New Mexico when police were unable to find any tips about a murder. The idea of reenacting the crime on local television, allowing anonymous tips, and paying for tips that led to an arrest was born. The program spread and allows anonymous tips from the public about crimes and criminal activity.

In Tillsonburg, Crime Stoppers was a part of Haldimand-Norfolk Crime Stoppers until about a decade ago when Tillsonburg was grouped with Oxford Crime Stoppers.

Now, during Crime Stoppers Awareness Month, the local connections to the program are working to raise awareness of the valuable program.

“It’s a public, media and policing partnership,” said Jan Hauck, a South-West Oxford resident and a member of Oxford Crime Stoppers board of directors since 1998.

Laura Curtis, who lives in Tillsonburg, has been a board member since 2021.

The board is charged with raising funds for tips and deciding on how much rewards should be. Potential tipsters should know the entire system is anonymous, rather the tip is left through the 1-800-222-TIPS line or on the web at oxfordcrimestoppers.com. Tips are passed on to police and if the tips results in an arrests or charges laid, a reward of up to $2,000 can be paid. The amount of suggested tips is generated by a computer program, but the board can pay that amount, increase or decrease it.

“In my experience, we increase it because we want to keep those tips coming,” Hauck said.

In Oxford 85 to 90 per cent of the rewards are not claimed, which she said means the community are reporting crime for the right reason.

As of the end of November, Oxford Crime Stoppers received 329 tips. Those tips led to 15 arrests, 66 charges laid, $135,540 in narcotics seized and 45 cases cleared.

Board members also work to increase awareness about the program. Curtis said in Tillsonburg one sign had to come down and they are working to have replacements put up, and finding other ways of raising awareness.

One of the big annual fundraisers is the golf tournament at Ingersoll Golf and Country Club. The group is looking for another fundraiser.

“We can’t just sit back,” Hauck said. “If tips come in, we need to pay those rewards.”

Crime Stoppers is about more than assisting in major crimes. The program also aids in solving fish and wildlife infractions such as poaching, breaking environmental regulations and people driving with a suspended license.

Oxford Crime Stoppers is seeking new board members. The group meets monthly. Anyone interested can contact Curtis at 519-983-9300 or laura.curtis@century21.ca