Crime Stoppers Awareness Month Kicks Off with Flag Raising and Focus on Community Safety

January is Crime Stoppers Awareness Month, and the Canadian Crime Stoppers Association has announced that the national theme for 2026 is “Safe Streets, Strong Communities… Together We Can Stop Crime.” To mark the beginning of the year and highlight the important role Crime Stoppers plays in community safety, Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers, joined by municipal staff, local partners, and members of the public, raised the Crime Stoppers flag at the Chatham Civic Centre.

The flag-raising ceremony served as both a celebration and a reminder of the shared responsibility in preventing and reporting crime. It also marked a significant milestone year for the Crime Stoppers program, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Crime Stoppers began in 1976 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and has since grown into a global movement operating in countries around the world. Locally, Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers is entering its 39th year of service, having officially launched in 1987.

Since its inception, the Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers program has received an estimated 20,000 anonymous tips. These tips have played a vital role in assisting police investigations and solving crimes across the region, ranging from property-related offences to more serious criminal activity.

“It’s only the second day of the New Year and we are still finalizing the total number of anonymous tips received in 2025, but we already know we were on track for another strong year,” said Erica McIntosh, Crime Stoppers Program Coordinator. “What really stood out to us was the improving quality of the tips we received. Community members are providing more of the key details police need, including the who, what, when, where, and how.”

McIntosh emphasized that high-quality tips increase the likelihood that police can take action. “When people are able to report specific information, whether online at www.ckcrimestoppers.ca or by phone at 1-800-222-8477, officers can use those details to move investigations forward and work toward solving crimes,” she said.

Looking ahead to 2026, Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers is planning a full calendar of community-facing initiatives designed to educate, engage, and empower residents. These efforts will include public safety events, fundraising initiatives, and targeted education and awareness campaigns.

“We have identified several priority topics that directly impact our community, including auto theft mitigation, illegal firearms awareness, and break and enter prevention,” said McIntosh. “We will be running focused campaigns on each of these issues throughout the year to provide practical information that people can use to reduce risk and protect themselves.”

Funding for these programs and all Crime Stoppers activities is generated through community fundraising efforts. One of the organization’s largest annual fundraisers is the Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers Annual Golf Tournament, with ticket sales and sponsorship opportunities opening today on the Crime Stoppers website.

“Each of these crimes touches people either directly or indirectly at some point during the year,” McIntosh added. “With a strong focus on prevention, our goal is to give people the tools and knowledge they need to stay safe, while also reminding them that they can report crime anonymously without fear of retaliation.”

Crime Stoppers plays a key role in building safer neighbourhoods by fostering collaboration between the public, law enforcement, and community organizations. By empowering residents to speak up and share information anonymously, Crime Stoppers ensures that everyone has a role to play in creating safe streets and strong communities.

To learn more about Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers, submit an anonymous tip, or stay informed about upcoming campaigns and events, visit www.ckcrimestoppers.ca or follow @CKCrimeStoppers on social media.

Preparing to fly the CK Crime Stoppers flag at the Civic Centre in Chatham.

CKPS Sgt. Flikwert, President Sarah VandenBrand, Board member Nancy Havens, Vice President Bill Isaacs, Board member Aaron Hurst, Board member Nate Young, Coordinator Erica McIntosh, Board member Angie Shreve

Additional

Quick Stats for 2025:

·         Tips Received YTD                                                 501

·         Tips Received Since Inception                             31,035

·         Rewards Approved Since Inception                   $121,906

·         Drugs Seized Since Inception                              $105,009,360

·         Property Recovered Since Inception                   $10,582,451

·         Weapons Recovered Since Inception                 341