President's Report

2010 was a different and challenging year for London- Elgin-Middlesex Crime Stoppers. Our program continues its outreach program and has presented to many groups including London Housing, schools, seniors and others. We have an ongoing relationship with the Latino community through Hola London who show our videos on their website. We participated in outings that helped spread the word about the value of having and using Crime Stoppers. Booths were set up at General Dynamics, OPP Family Day, the Latin Festival, Racing Against Drugs (RAD) etc. We now have a presence at Fanshawe College.

Financially, we experienced the downturn in the economy. Our revenues from all events were down. We did adjust spending and wisely appropriated funds where they gave us the optimal return for visibility, engagement of the public and sustained promotion of the program. As an example, we used promotional material the same way, allocating materials dependent on the audience. We sourced out less expensive suppliers and found substantial savings. The board continues to find ways to support our cost savings to deliver the program to the community.

Our program promotion to Elgin and Middlesex continues. Posters and pamphlets were distributed to businesses in every town in Elgin. Reports from our Coordinators support this venture. We are slowly moving into Middlesex as well, and, although we did suffer a setback in Middlesex regarding signage on county roads, there was support from the individual seats indicating that they wanted signs in their respective communities. The Sign Committee has worked hard on this initiative and we are now proud to report that 10 signs are up in Southwold Township. This long-term project continues.

Our Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre (EMDC) Tips project passed its second year with great results. As you may know, we have been proposing that this project becomes province-wide. We’re pleased to announce that the Ministry of Correctional Services and Community Safety has given the go ahead to move this to all provincial adult and youth facilities in 2011. In addition, a grant was applied for, and via the Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers (OACS), we received $ 20,000 for initial start up.

We are currently investigating an amended funding model for the future. Studies and training that the Crime Stoppers Board of Directors receive indicates that sustained sponsorships for groups such as ours are a better way to ensure adequate funds are available to deliver our business plan. While we will still have our Jailathon and Golf Tournament, other high energy, low return events will be assessed on their merits. As a volunteer Board we need to manage our time so we can get the best results and still have fun doing it. We postponed acquiring a new vehicle last year, but Dale Downie has graciously donated a new Nissan Rogue. We will buy out the newer Montana and sell the older one. As you know, Info Place, the Nevada ticket company went bankrupt. As a result, about 50 charities incurred losses and the company was found negligent in their handling of charity profits in court. We did investigate another company that other Crime Stopper programs use, and we are looking into that. On average, we were bringing in about $1,000 per month prior to their bankruptcy.

Your Crime Stoppers Board continues to work hard in promoting, raising funds, and believing in the Crime Stoppers program. They are a great asset to have. We have seen some turnover in the directors, but that keeps it vibrant, with new skill sets and experiences to bring to the table. Our Resource Members and General Members assist us in our events and should be commended for their work. Our coordinators, Sue and Rob are exemplary in their work and dedication to the cause. The training we receive at OACS and Crime Stoppers International (CSI) conferences gives us useable and relevant information to grow the program and help us stay in compliance with all the rules by which we are governed. We are commencing the development of a three to four year year business plan. On a very good note, we are pleased to announce that RCMP Constable Matt Hamilton, a board member until early this year has been posted to Kugluktuk, Nunavut.

In closing, I want to sincerely thank our police partners: The London Police Service, former Chief Murray Faulkner and Chief Brad Duncan; the OPP and Inspectors Stephens, Burke and Fishleigh; the RCMP and Inspector Blok; Strathroy-Caradoc Police Service and Chief Beazley, and First Nations Police for their support and belief that Crime Stoppers makes a difference in our community. To the officers from each service and the Ministry of Natural Resources that continually work with our Board, thanks. To our media partners, you have our gratitude for continually promoting our messages, re-enactments and events. To our communities, thank you for using the London- Elgin-Middlesex Crime Stoppers program to become part of the solution in solving crime anonymously in your neighbourhoods.

Al Gibson, President

London-Elgin-Middlesex Crime Stoppers