Crime Stoppers of Halton is thrilled to announce the launch of its Community Watch program, starting this fall in Oakville’s Ward 3.
With the support of the Halton Police Board and Halton Regional Police, Crime Stoppers is bringing together residents, volunteers, and law enforcement in a collective commitment to make Halton a safer place.
This initiative, inspired by the vision and dedication of Halton Police Board (chaired by Oakville Ward 5 Councillor Jeff Knoll) aims to empower the community to play an active role in keeping neighbourhoods safe.
"At Crime Stoppers, we know that keeping our communities safe requires all of us to do our part," said Lou-Ann Lucier, chair of Crime Stoppers of Halton.
"The Community Watch program is about creating a strong network of residents who can recognize and report suspicious activity. Our program gives people the choice of submitting information anonymously if they prefer, but more importantly, it emphasizes the power of a collective, community-wide effort to prevent crime."
The Community Watch program, while powered by Crime Stoppers’ commitment to anonymity, is about much more than anonymous tips. It fosters community awareness and engagement, encouraging residents to work together and report concerns openly or confidentially through Crime Stoppers' secure and independent tip line.
This collaborative approach, backed by the credibility, nonpartisan and nonprofit status of Crime Stoppers, helps prevent and solve crimes by encouraging residents to share information in a way that feels comfortable for them.
Crime Stoppers’ partnership with the Halton Regional Police Service ensures that each piece of information, whether submitted anonymously or not, is effectively handled by professionals committed to public safety.
This relationship enables Crime Stoppers to provide the community with a trusted, nonprofit platform where any resident can help protect their neighbourhood.
How the Community Watch Program Works
The new program aims to build a comprehensive network of residents committed to keeping an eye out for one another.
Volunteers from Crime Stoppers are working directly with residents to share tips on identifying and reporting suspicious behaviours and how to submit tips if desired. With the program’s launch, Crime Stoppers hopes to foster stronger bonds within the community and increase safety and trust throughout Ward 3.
Residents can contribute information to Crime Stoppers at any time by calling the secure, anonymous tip line at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visiting www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca. By connecting with the program, Halton residents are helping to create safer neighbourhoods across the region.
A Blueprint for Halton’s Future
The Oakville Ward 3 Community Watch program marks the beginning of what Crime Stoppers hopes will be a Halton-wide initiative.
With valuable community feedback and support from the Halton Regional Police and the Halton Police Board, Crime Stoppers is looking forward to bringing this initiative to other neighborhoods in the future.
"Our Community Watch program is an example of what we can achieve when we work together," Lucier added. "Every bit of information matters, and every resident has a role to play. With the option for anonymity if needed, we hope to see more people step up to protect their neighbourhoods."
Crime Stoppers encourages all residents to get involved, whether by joining the program as a volunteer or by keeping an eye out in their neighbourhood. To learn more or to report any suspicious activity, contact Crime Stoppers of Halton through the tip line at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online.