January is officially Crime Stoppers Month in Windsor and Amherstburg, and a number of events are planned throughout the month.
On Thursday, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens and Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue proclaimed January 2024 as Crime Stoppers Month.
Officials say Crime Stoppers works to educate the public and create awareness on illegal activities in an effort to help promote the Canadian values of safety, empowerment and inclusion.
Creating awareness and mobilizing Canadians in reporting suspicious or criminal activity anonymously requires a network of partners working together for a common end.
Program Manager Jeremy Renaud says they will engage the regional community through a variety of events and campaigns that will give local business and people the opportunity to be a crime stopper.
The theme for the month is "Be a Crime Stopper."
As part of the broader campaign, the Giant Tiger Be A Crime Stopper "Crime Fighter" Campaign will run from January 15 to the 31.
The inaugural fundraising and brand awareness campaign at five participating stores throughout Windsor-Essex County will enhance funds for the organization's tips program.
The Windsor Spitfires vs. Sudbury Wolves game on January 13 will be Crime Stoppers themed, with a promotional platform towards raising funds and awareness through Crime Stoppers' Chuck-A-Puck program and booth.
Additionally, Crime Stoppers will be hosting two pop-up events inclusive of orientation, education, and welcome sessions for new and existing volunteers, promotional giveaways, fundraiser's, and program activities:
- Sunday, January 14 - Horwood Room at Tecumseh Arena from 2:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
- Saturday, January 27 - at Tecumseh Mall from open to close
Renaud says there's a lot of new initiatives this year, and they want to utilize the proclamation to deliver a number of activations for people in the community.
"We're launching an inaugural Be A Crime Stopper "Crime Fighter" Campaign through Giant Tiger, and it's a branding and awareness campaign, but it's an opportunity for individuals and patrons of those stores to get involved," he continued. "To become crime fighters and to also raise funds that goes towards our tips program that rewards tipsters who help us prevent or solve crimes."
He says by taking one twelfth of the year it's an opportunity to raise their visibility in the community.
"To educate the community as a whole on not only what Crime Stoppers is and how to get involved, but we're encouraging new volunteers to participate at all levels. We're raising funds to support our vision mission and again we're reporting on the results."
Renaud says Crime Stoppers has a big impact on dealing with crime locally, estimating anonymous tips help to solve between 75 to 82 per cent of cases.
He says they take a three pronged approach.
"Which includes media awareness and attention through a collaboration between law enforcement, media, and the community. Obviously there's an opportunity for people to, for example, if it's through social media where we've identified a suspect and people might know that person. Or be able to identify that person and then call our line anonymously. There's an opportunity for them to help us identify that person and then hopefully bring a case to a close," he said.
More details about events and just information about how to get involved in Crime Stoppers will be posted to their social media channels throughout January.