This year’s theme – See something, Hear something, Say something – adopted from the Homeland Security’s popular slogan in the United States, See Something, Say Something – is designed to encourage people to call the Crime Stoppers tip line if they become aware of anything that will help solve or stop crime. 

Through the years, callers to Halton Crime Stoppers have provided tips anonymously that have led to the solving of homicides, break-ins, assaults, sexual attacks, robberies, frauds and numerous other crimes in Burlington, Milton, Oakville and Halton Hills. 

Crime Stoppers Month allows Crime Stoppers programs everywhere to highlight successes and create awareness of how anonymous tips not only assist in solving crime, but helps keep our various neighborhoods safe and secure. 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged the value of Crime Stoppers Month to raise awareness and ensure ongoing public support for Crime Stoppers. 

“I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to everyone marking Crime Stoppers Month, he wrote in a letter to programs across the country. “Crime Stoppers, a global organization with more than 1,700 programs in 32 counties, brings together citizens, local media and police in an effort to solve and prevent crime.” 

He said programs in Canada are responsible for clearing more than 260,000 cases and helping to recover more than $500 million worth of stolen property since the first program was established in Calgary in 1982. 

“I would like to commend the staff and volunteer associated with the 108 Crime Stoppers chapters in Canada for their efforts to fight crime,” Prime Minister Trudeau’s letter states. “Your dedication to the safety and well-being of your fellow citizens is improving our communities.” 

On a worldwide basis accumulative statistics show anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers programs have solved more than 1.5 million cases and led to the arrest of almost one million individuals. Callers have also provided information which assisted police in recovering $2.1 billion in stolen property and seizing $8.9 billion in illegal drugs. 

Last year tips to Halton Crime Stoppers led to the arrest of 36 individuals, the recovery of $40,630 in stolen property, and the seizure of illegal drugs with a street value of $87,600.  

January will be officially recognized as Crime Stoppers Month during a special celebration on January 17th. The event, which runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., will be held at the Halton Police 20 Division, 95 Oak Walk Drive in Oakville.  In addition to remarks from politicians and key police personnel, the chair of Halton Crime Stoppers, Doug Maybee will outline the program’s main achievements from 2016 and detail plans for the next 12 months. 

Proclamations from the various mayors across the region acknowledging January as Crime Stoppers Month will be unveiled along with a letter of recognition from Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. 

Detective Constable Paul Proteau, the coordinator of Halton Crime Stoppers, said “Crime Stoppers Month also provides programs with an opportunity to thank the media for the commitment they make to highlight unsolved crime and urge people to anonymously call the tip line with any information they may have.” 

“We would not be successful without the full support of the media,” Proteau said. “Their involvement as a true partner is absolutely vital.” 

He also said the awards earned by CHCH-TV and Metroland community newspapers from Crime Stoppers International for coverage of Halton Crime Stoppers truly indicates the effort made by these media organizations to ensure Halton remains one of the safest regions in Canada.