Grey Bruce Crime Stoppers may be forced to close up shop

Struggling to find funding streams, Grey Bruce Crime Stoppers (GBCS) may be at risk of closing its doors.

“GBCS has lost a major portion of their funding, and about six or seven months ago they were considering closing their doors all together due to the lack of funding for their programs,” said chair of the Grey Highlands Police Services Board, Daryl Minifie at a recently held board meeting.

GBCS has been approaching Grey County municipalities, including Grey Highlands and the Town of the Blue Mountains (TBM), looking for assistance in making up lost funding streams due to COVID-19.

“I believe a responsible board must consider all options and have plans in place,” said Peter Reid, chairman of GBCS.

“It would be a very sad day for Grey Bruce if Crime Stoppers were to close. It has happened in other cities; for example, the Kingston Crime Stoppers program closed and now the police service there is struggling to re-establish the program,” he continued.

Reid explains that roughly 25 per cent of the organization's funding comes from two major events that are generally held in the spring, which were both cancelled this year because of COVID-19.

“We do have reserves, however, without new funding they will eventually be exhausted,” he said.

According to Reid, the province provides funding for the organization’s after-hours answering service, but no other federal or provincial funding is provided.

“In some of the Crime Stoppers programs in Ontario the staffing costs are fully covered by the police/municipality,” Reid said. “In our program, we have a single, paid co-ordinator and their cost is paid 100 per cent by monies raised by the board.”

GBCS has been active in the community for more than 33 years and has compiled an impressive number of stats, which includes making 1,694 arrests and recovering $53,627,517 worth of drugs, cash and property.

“We’ve continuously contributed to being part of the solution to keeping our communities safe. Over $49 million of drugs seized is a figure I’m very proud of,” he added.

GBCS has recently approached each municipality to consider contributing $2,000 in order to keep the program running.

The Grey Highlands Police Board chose not to offer any financial support, but plans to refer the organization to other grant programs offered by the municipality.

The Blue Mountains provided the program with $1,000 earlier this year through its grants and donations committee.

“Our police detachment is actually in Simcoe County. This is Grey Bruce. We are located in Grey County and, obviously, the program has solved a lot of problems and arrests, but how many of them have actually been in our detachment?” asked TBM Mayor, Alar Soever at a council meeting held earlier this month.

TBM council directed staff to look into the funding the town has previously provided and come back with a report for council’s consideration.

“Worst-case scenario, I would like to think we will consider supporting this in 2021, in light of COVID and its impacts,” said TBM councillor, Jim Uram.

Reid said there are a number of benefits the Crime Stoppers program offers to a community, including the ability for individuals to report a crime anonymously.

“Being able to report a crime or information anonymously gives people who may be in a vulnerable situation or fearful of their safety the avenue they need,” he said. “They are never required to testify and we don’t collect any identifying information.”

For those concerned about seeing the GBCS program continue, Ried encourages considering making a donation, which can be done online at cstip.ca or by calling 519-371-6078.

“We are also looking for additional board members who are looking to volunteer a little of their time and expertise,” he added.