The local chapter of Crime Stoppers is celebrating the program’s 50th year assisting police investigations and solving crimes in countries around the world.
Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers kicked off the year with a flag-raising at the Civic Centre on Friday as part of Crime Stoppers Awareness Month in January. The Canadian Crime Stoppers Association also announced its national theme for 2026 — “Safe Streets, Strong Communities… Together We Can Stop Crime.”
This year marks the program’s 50th anniversary, following its inception in 1976 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Locally, Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers is entering its 39th year of service, having officially launched in 1987.
Since then, the CK Crime Stoppers program has received more than 31,000 anonymous tips, including 500 in the last year.
“What really stood out to us was the improving quality of the tips we received,” said Erica McIntosh, CK Crime Stoppers Program Coordinator, in a news release. “Community members are providing more of the key details police need, including the who, what, when, where, and how.”
As well, more than $100 million worth of drugs and 341 weapons have been seized as a result of tips submitted to Crime Stoppers in CK. Another $10 million in property has also been recovered since the program’s inception.
Heading into 2026, CK Crime Stoppers is planning to implement several community initiatives, such as public safety events, fundraising initiatives, and awareness campaigns, to educate, engage, and empower local residents.
“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.”
For more information about Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers, click here.
