For Release – September 25, 2024
Crime Stoppers Guelph Wellington (CSGW) was named to five awards at the 2024 Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers online Annual General Meeting and Training Conference.
The online conference featured the annual awards ceremony where programs across Ontario were recognized for their efforts in 2023.
CSGW was successful in the following categories –
- Best Digital Effort (100,001-299,999 population) – for the Fraud Talk animated video series on the CSGW YouTube channel youtube.com @csgwtips6184 or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8vJIWbX3QWyziGznlp7LxA . The Fraud Talk series was designed to educate and create awareness of the CSGW, Victim Services Wellington and Wellington County OPP grant initiative “Fraud Talk”. These videos were produced by Tivoli Films of Centre Wellington. Themes include Bank Scam, CRA Scam, Door to Door Scam, Spoofing, Grandparents Scam and Romance/Friendship Scam.
- Best Print Feature (100,001-299,999 population) – for the Road Sign campaign launched in May 2023. The #SayItHere theme with various visual options was selected as the best example of print promotion in this population category. The signs were developed in partnership with Cedar Signs.
- Best Video Feature (100,001-299,999 population) – For an episode of GuelphLife on Rogers TV. This episode featured the launch of the #SayItHere road sign campaign as well as interviews with key CSGW partners the representatives. The video included appearances from local supporters, police partners and Board volunteers. This episode is available on the Rogers TV Guelph YouTube channel – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0SfrIj5YSE
- Best Radio Feature (100,001-299,999 population) – in partnership with The Grand at 101 for Swap Talk. The March 2023 episode was submitted which focused on the partnership between CSGW and Victim Services Wellington (VSW). VSW Executive Director Elizabeth Kent and CSGW Program Coordinator Sarah Bowers-Peter discussed the launch of Fraud Talk for Fraud Prevention Month. Promotion of the Fraud Talk presentation and social media accounts was shared. The segment concluded with reference to the then upcoming Lights and Sirens event in partnership with Wellington County OPP and Centre Wellington Fire Rescue. Overall, the submission highlighted CSGW’s partnerships with other community organizations and how it uses its platform to increase crime prevention.
- Marla Moon Memorial Award of Excellence (100,001-299,999) – This is the nineth year in a row that CSGW has taken this prestigious honour. This award goes to the program that demonstrates active engagement in all areas of Crime Stoppers, specifically media, police and community. It looks at volunteer hours, community engagement with information and Tip taking as well as initiatives the program develops. No other program has won this award nine consecutive years.
CSGW Board Chair Dave Elloway responded to the recognition for the previous year.
“CSGW is honoured and humbled to receive these awards of excellence from OACS. The breadth of the awards covering digital, print, video, radio, and the overall program award in our size category for the 9th time, speaks to the dedication and hard work that makes this program successful year after year,” he said. “The commitment of staff and the volunteer board to support, nurture and grow the success of the program is helping to make Wellington County and Guelph a safer community by creating a safe space to Say It Here.”
Program Coordinator Sarah Bowers-Peter said the awards demonstrate the impact CSGW has in the community.
“It’s exciting to be recognized for the work we do in the City of Guelph and County of Wellington. We hope these awards reinforce to our community that the work we do is being recognized across the province and that Crime Stoppers is the best option to anonymously and confidentially report crime,” she stated.
