Anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers are paying off -- and paying out -- through the first half of the year in Chatham-Kent.
Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers Vice President Bill Isaacs said the group has received 254 tips so far this year, which has led to police clearing 105 cases.
Last year, the group received 531 tips, which led to local officers clearing 120 cases.
"The Chatham-Kent police and the OPP, if it falls in their jurisdiction, use these tips quite a bit," said Isaacs. "Sometimes, you think, 'What I know is just a little bit of information like the colour of a vehicle or whatever,' but I'll tell ya, that tip can mean closing a case."
Isaacs said it's important to report what you know because every tip is investigated -- and you could even get paid for the information you provide.
So far this year, the local Crime Stoppers group has paid out $1,900 for the tips they have received.
Isaacs is also reminding potential tipsters that they can share the information anonymously -- either online by clicking here, or over the phone by calling 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
"We don't really care who you are, we just want to know what you know," said Isaacs.
Crime Stoppers is also planning an event in September focusing on child safety and protection.
The Children's Safety Expo will be held at the John D. Bradley Centre from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on September 14.
Isaacs said they have commitments from local police, fire, and EMS who will all bring equipment along for the kids to see and interact with.
Free fingerprinting and photography services will also be available for children to help parents create important child identification records.
Isaacs said all of that information will be transferred to a memory stick before that memory stick is handed to the parents. Crime Stoppers will not keep or store any records or personal information.
"This is strictly for the parents -- to protect the identity of their children and to keep them safe," said Isaacs. "And hopefully, they never need it."
First responders and safety experts will also be sharing tips and insights on how to keep children safe in today's world -- especially focusing on stranger danger awareness and digital safety.