Crime Stoppers Grey Bruce, an entirely volunteer driven organization, has received a helping hand from the Saugeen Shores Police Services Board.

Crime Stoppers Chair, Peter Reid and past-Chair Betty Bender, recently made a presentation to the Board saying that, if the organization did not receive financial help, it would, in all likelihood, be forced to cease operations by year-end.

This year, the Saugeen Shores Police Services Board presented Crime Stoppers with a donation of $1,000 to help with costs. “We understand and appreciate the service that Crime Stoppers does for the community,” said Board Chair Dave Myette.

Crime Stoppers of Grey Bruce covers a total area of 8,600 sq. km. with a population of over 158,000 people.  From May 1987 to January 2019, statistics through Grey Bruce Crime Stoppers in the region are:

• Arrests 1,632;
• cases cleared 2,639;
• rewards $264,085;
• property recovered $3,864,444,
• drugs seized $49,234,353

Total value recovered $53,124,016

Crime Stoppers is an international organization that helps to fight crime on a local level by providing ‘tipsters’ an anonymous avenue to help police solve crimes.  A volunteer organization however, it relies solely on fundraising efforts and donations to remain viable.

Recently, Crime Stoppers has also received support from various organizations, including several regional Royal Canadian Legions, groups such as the Kincardine Sunset Quilters Guild and others.

“We greatly appreciate the funding help that we have been receiving,” says past-Chair Betty Bender.  “As a volunteer organization, like many others, we are struggling to find the funds to make us sustainable. Our members are dedicated and committed to helping our police fight crime in our communities but, without funding help, we simply can’t keep going.  So, support like this is invaluable not only to us but to the community.”

One of its main sources of funds is the upcoming annual Crime Stoppers Golf Tournament held each year in Saugeen Shores sponsored by Trillium Insurance.  On June 7th, the Tournament at Saugeen Golf Club, will host a full day of golf, several sports celebrities along with a live auction and dinner – details to follow.

Article courtesy of the Saugeen Times