More than $300,000 in drugs seized and stolen property were recovered in Chatham-Kent last year thanks to the help of anonymous tipsters.
Since the program's inception in 1987, Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers has received 28,980 calls leading to 7,641 arrests.
Outgoing Police Coordinator David Bakker said 2021 was a successful year for the local Crime Stoppers program, as shown through an annual report. He said in terms of statistics, the numbers were fairly consistent with the previous year.
"One of the most significant stat was the number of tips that we receive each year," said Bakker. "The arrests and cleared cases are nice but the fact that over 500 people called us and reported a crime in Chatham-Kent is a real indicator that a program is still being widely used."
Crime Stoppers received 586 calls last year, which led to 55 arrests and 145 charges. The 2021 report also noted the seizure of $255,800 worth of drugs and $72,700 worth of recovered property.
January marks Crime Stoppers month and members of the local program raised a flag at the Civic Centre in Chatham Monday to increase the awareness of the initiative.
Bakker said the program is looking forward to the public continuing to call in anonymous tips and help make Chatham-Kent a better place.
Statistics provided by Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers show that 16,359 charges have been laid since the program's inception in 1987. The total amount of drugs seized and property recovered from inception is over $114 million.