Town council receives update from Windsor-Essex County Crime Stoppers

Representatives from Windsor-Essex County Crime Stoppers were at the most recent meeting of town council to give an update on the organization.

Rick Surette and Greg Rumpel addressed town council Feb. 9 and gave background on the organization. Surette said it is a program that “encourages individuals in their community to report crime leads anonymously.”

“We promise a cash reward if their tip leads to information that helps us solve a crime or a seizure of things like drugs or the recovery of stolen property,” said Surette.

Not only do people remain anonymous and earn cash rewards, there are no court appearances, he added.

“You’ll never receive a subpoena if you provide a tip to Crime Stoppers,” said Surette. “I’ve been a police officer for a long time. I should be very comfortable testifying. I do not enjoy testifying. I’ve been doing it for a long time. Can you imagine the ordinary citizen who knows something? They don’t want to go to court. If they provide a tip to us, they won’t go to court.”

People may also want to report something to Crime Stoppers out of embarrassment or fear, with some being family members of someone known to commit a crime or doing something wrong. By providing tips, it could allow that family member to get help.

Surette said the local Crime Stoppers program has been in existence for over 35 years. He pointed out it is a charity that does not receive funding from government with fundraisers held to support their cause.

Crime Stoppers has a board of directors and numerous volunteers as well as a program manager, the latter role filled by Rumpel. There are also two police co-ordinators, one each from Windsor police and the OPP, with Surette being one of them and Jamie Fummerton the other.

The co-ordinators are reviewed to protect the people from disclosing too much information such as their identities. Officers who are assigned cases do not even know who provided the tips, he added.

Crimes that are eligible tips are matters listed in the Criminal Code, with future actions that could lead to something also eligible. That could include such things as a fight that is scheduled for a school or “good information” such as a potential drug deals in the community.

Tips are received by phone or online and people are given a tip number. Police co-ordinators send the tip to the appropriate law enforcement agency for investigation. When police investigate and conclude the tip, the tipster checks in with Crime Stoppers to see if they qualify for an award. The Crime Stoppers board has to approve any reward and arrangements are made to go to a local bank through an anonymous number.

In 2025, there were 1,819 tips to Crime Stoppers, a 16 per cent increase from 2024. There were 71 arrests, 140 cases cleared, 160 charges, over $76,000 in recovered property, over $750,000 in drugs seized and six weapons seized.

Councillor Don McArthur noted his previous career as a newspaper reporter, stating he wrote many news briefs asking people to call 519-258-TIPS with information. He asked how much money was paid out by Crime Stoppers last year.

Surette said the civic responsibility of constituents is “outstanding,” as some refuse the cash reward out of civic duty. So far in 2026, less than ten per cent have claimed their reward. He said he was unable to state how much was paid in 2025, noting anonymity has an impact on sharing that information.

Town council receives update from Windsor-Essex County Crime Stoppers

By Ron Giofu