The Crime Stoppers flag was raised in both St. Thomas and Elgin County on Monday, marking the start of Crime Stoppers Awareness Week in the community.
The theme for 2025 is “Empowering Through Education, Preventing Through Action,” which aims to highlight the importance of community, law enforcement, and media partnerships in creating safer environments.
While the week is traditionally celebrated in January, organizers shifted the local recognition to September to better align with schedules and events.
Zach Souliere, St. Thomas – Elgin Crime Stoppers Director, says the awareness week is about more than raising the flag — it’s about reminding the community what they do.
By promoting the values of safety, empowerment, and inclusion, the program encourages Canadians to take action against crime. One of its key goals is to inspire people to report suspicious or criminal activity anonymously to local police, a partnership that has seen great success, notes Souliere.
The organization is volunteer-run and operates as a non-profit charity, relying on public awareness and fundraising efforts. Tipsters who provide information remain completely anonymous and are not required to testify in court. If their tips lead to charges being laid, they could receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
For anyone interested in learning more about St. Thomas Elgin Crime Stoppers, Souliere recommends starting with their website at StThomasCrimeStoppers.ca.
The week is a chance to highlight the role Crime Stoppers plays in local policing and to encourage more residents to take part in strengthening the safety of St. Thomas and Elgin.
Written by: Kennedy Freeman
