BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association
Your Data Your Rights
Chatham-Kent police have temporarily suspended their partnership with the internationally renowned Crime Stoppers program.
The move comes in response to a widespread data breach that compromised more 1.5 million crime-fighting tips in Canada – including more than 13,000 in Chatham-Kent.
According to a media statement, CKPS recognizes the concern the breach may cause for individuals who have provided information to Crime Stoppers on the expectation of anonymity.
“Protecting the privacy and safety of community members who come forward with information is essential to maintaining public trust and supporting successful investigations,” the statement said.
“Members of our community must have confidence that the information they provide is being protected,” said Chief Kirk Earley in the statement. “While we recognize the valuable contributions Crime Stoppers has made over the years, the incident requires us to proceed with caution. Pausing our participation is a necessary step while we assess the situation and await further information regarding the security of the system and the protection of those who use it.”
Chatham-Kent police and OPP are longstanding members of the Crime Stoppers community, utilizing tips from the public to solve crimes. It was founded in Chatham-Kent by former Chief Dennis Poole in 1987, when he was still a constable.
Officials pointed out that no other CKPS data was involved in the breach.
In an attempt to keep information flowing, C-K police have created a new tip line. People concerned about public safety and who have information about criminal activity are asked to call the new line at 1-888-236-0993. The number will not be monitored 24-7.
But police also issued a warning callers should be aware anonymity cannot be guaranteed.
The data breach was unveiled thanks to a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation investigation that discovered a breach of information gleaned over the past 25 years. Navigate360 – the company hired to manage Crime Stopper tips – was hacked in March of this year.
Navigate360 is a U.S.-based company hired to manage and secure anonymous tips.
Last week Canadian Privacy Commissioner Phillip Dufresne announced a probe into the safeguards Navigate360 has in place to handle information.
The public is asked to contact 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency. For non-emergency police matters, residents can continue to contact the Chatham-Kent Police Service Communications Centre at 519-352-1234 ext. 9 or the Chatham-Kent Police Front Desk Officer at 519-352-1234 ext. 0.
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