Despite receiving fewer tips than in previous years, Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers say 2022 was a successful year.
Residents provided 479 tips to Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers in 2022, leading to 41 charges being laid.
The tips also led to 15 arrests, 109 cleared cases and $104,780 in property recovered and drugs seized, according to the organization’s annual report.
"Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers has enjoyed a very successful and productive 2022," said Erica McIntosh, who is the coordinator for Crime Stoppers. "Through combined efforts of tipsters, the media, police agencies and the hard work of our board members, many incidents were successfully investigated and solved."
Since the program’s inception in 1987, Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers has received 29, 469 tips leading to 7,656 arrests. The total amount of drugs seized and property recovered from inception is over $114 million.
January is recognized as Crime Stoppers Month and members of the local program raised a flag at the Civic Centre in Chatham on January 3 to increase awareness of the initiative.
"January provides a wonderful opportunity to highlight the success of the 87 Crime Stoppers programs throughout the country and to raise awareness of the ways we can all help keep our local communities safe," said McIntosh in a media release.
This year, Crime Stoppers is launching its first-ever online 50-50 fundraiser. Residents can purchase 100 tickets for $100, 20 tickets for $50, 4 tickets for $20, or one ticket for $10.
Tickets are being sold until March 31, with a grand prize draw taking place at Chatham-Kent Police Service Headquarters at 7 p.m. on April 20, 2023.
The winner will be called via their contact information and be awarded their cash winnings.
You can purchase tickets through the Crime Stoppers raffle website.