BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association
Your Data Your Rights
Crime Stoppers of Halton has launched a new community watch program to collaborate with Oakville residents, volunteers, and law enforcement to foster a safer neighbourhood.
Supported by the Halton Police Board and Halton Police Service, the initiative is being implemented in Oakville’s Ward 3. While Crime Stoppers emphasizes anonymous tip lines, the community watch program focuses on promoting open communication, awareness, and collaboration.
Councillor Jeff Knoll approached Crime Stoppers with the idea of running a neighbourhood watch pilot in Oakville, aiming to encourage residents to get involved in keeping their community safe by reporting concerns, either openly or through Crime Stoppers’ anonymous tip line.
“Keeping our communities safe requires all of us to do our part,” Crime Stoppers of Halton Chair Lou-Ann Lucier stated in a press release, “The community watch program is about creating a strong network of residents who can recognize and report suspicious activity.”
As part of the new program, Crime Stoppers volunteers will work closely with Ward 3 residents to provide training on recognizing and reporting suspicious behaviour. They will also share information on how to use the organization’s secure, independent tip line for confidential submissions.
Colin Jessome, executive director for Crime Stoppers of Halton, stated that more than five residents’ associations in Ward 3 have expressed frustration with safety issues such as auto thefts and vandalism, which may stem from a lack of monitoring.
“We’re one more layer of community safety,” Jessome said. “Our entire mandate through this is about bringing information, safety tips, and awareness to community members about what’s happening in their neighbourhoods.”
With 38 programs operating in Ontario alone and numerous others worldwide, Crime Stoppers has proven its effectiveness in promoting community safety. Notably, Hamilton and Halton were home to Canada’s very first Crime Stoppers program, which will soon mark half a century of service.
All Crime Stoppers programs, including those in Halton, use a national call centre specifically designed for their needs. The call line does not collect any personal information, reinforcing the program’s core commitment to confidentiality.
According to Jessome, when someone shares information, any identifying details are removed from the report. For example, if callers say their neighbours are selling illegal substances, Crime Stoppers removes that statement and includes only the address in the tip.
Every Crime Stoppers program has a dedicated police constable assigned to handle tips. These officers take a sworn oath to uphold the program’s strict confidentiality standards.
Volunteers do not have access to sensitive information like tips, which are exclusively managed by police to maintain the program’s integrity. Instead, volunteers will assist with community outreach, staff informational tables, organize fundraising events, create newsletters, and manage social media.
The success of Halton’s new community watch program will be measured through several factors, including community participation in newsletters, volunteer sign-ups, and feedback from surveys and community meetings. These efforts aim to increase engagement and collaboration among residents to address local safety concerns.
“We want to send a clear message to anyone considering criminal behaviour: this is not the place for it because people are watching,” Jessome said.
Residents are urged to visit Crime Stoppers of Halton’s website to sign up for newsletters and share the initiative with their neighbours. Increased community participation will help tackle crimes impacting local neighbourhoods.
If the pilot project achieves its goals, Crime Stoppers plans to expand the initiative across Halton, with support from community feedback and partnerships with the Halton Regional Police and Halton Police Board.
The Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) is a federally funded program to add coverage in under-covered areas or on under-covered issues. This content is created and submitted by participating publishers and is not edited. Access can also be gained by registering and logging in at: https://lji-ijl.ca.
You can support trusted and verified news content like this.
FIPA’s news monitor subscribers, donors and funders help make these available to everyone rather than behind a paywall. We appreciate every contribution because it makes a difference.
If you found this article interesting and useful, please consider contributing here.
