Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers was up and down last year, but mostly up where it counted.
Coordinator David Bakker says tips, arrests, charges and property recovery were up over 2016 but drug seizures were down. Bakker says the program received 108 more tips than in 2016 and 20 weapons were recovered.
Bakker credits tipsters, social media and traditional media for the success.
"We have been very lucky that when we post information looking for identification of suspects and other information regarding crimes that people have been contacting us right away and in record numbers, says Bakker.
Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers received 755 calls in 2017, made 100 arrests, laid 298 charges, recovered $197,000 in stolen property and seized $796,000 in drugs. Bakker says 2017 was a very successful and productive year.
"We attribute that to the fact that our partners, yourselves in the media, the police department along with the citizens of Chatham-Kent continue to support us and continue to use our program to help make our community a better place to live," Bakker says.
He says money paid out for tips last year remained about the same as other years.
"Our numbers have remained fairly consistent each year in regards to the tip payouts. This year the board approved a little over $9,000 in rewards. That money was raised by the board within the community and paid directly back out to the community," says Bakker.
