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Crime Stoppers looks to boost presence in schools By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Crime Stoppers of Halton's new co-ordinator hopes to boost the organization's presence in local schools so young people understand how the program works and that anonymity figures prominently in its success. Halton police Det. Const. Paul Proteau hinted at the future of Crime Stoppers during an interview with The Oakville Beaver at Halton police headquarters Tuesday. Proteau took over the post of Crime Stoppers co-ordinator from Sgt. Gary Gold, who held the role for six years. Proteau admitted he jumped at the position because, he said, Crime Stoppers is an essential part of keeping Halton one of the safest communities in Canada. "If the Crime Stoppers program wasn't around, there would be tons of information that wouldn't be passed on to police because a lot of people don't want to come forward," he said. "The anonymity of the program is what makes it special and unique and that's what makes it work. It's so interesting that we have this program and it's not even funded by us. I'd like to see it keep going and I'd like to improve on it, if I can." Proteau joined Halton police in 2000 working first in Oakville and then his native Burlington. His career has taken numerous twists and turns from uniform patrol to a position as a high school liaison officer in Burlington. "That was interesting. I get along really well with the teens. Some people think we just walk the halls or just go in, arrest kids and come out, but we do everything," said Proteau. "We do presentations on bullying, drugs, civics, careers. We do walk the hall to make our presence visible, but we've also done plainclothes operations around the schools looking for drug use, selling, that kind of thing." "Every school now has a big screen TV in the auditorium or lunch room. I'm hoping to get the Crime Stoppers image up there or info on the Crime of the Week or something related to the schools. The more it's seen on the screen, the more they are going to pay attention to it. I'm hoping that will really increase the number of tips and crimes solved." McLean said the idea is valid as every time Crime Stoppers does a presentation in a high school there is a noticeable increase in tips delivered through texting. Proteau's tenure as Halton's Crime Stoppers co-ordinator is expected to last three to five years. "We're glad to have Paul onboard," said McLean. "I think he's got the right profile to do a great job. We look forward to working with him as a board." Tips can be made to Crime Stoppers of Halton by calling 905-825-8477 (TIPS) or visiting www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting `TIP201' with your message to CRIMES (274637). Crime Stoppers is a community-based charity and as such requires donations to continue to operate. Donations can be made through the Halton Region by calling 905-825-6000, ext. 5139, or online at www.haltoncrimestoppers. com. 11 · Wednesday, January 23, 2013 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER / @halton_photog NEW Co-ordinator: Crime Stoppers of Halton board chair Gary McLean (right) says new Crime Stoppers co-ordinator Paul Proteau was an ideal choice for the position. Gary McLean, chair of the Crime Stoppers of Halton board, said Proteau's work in the high schools and his ability to relate to local youths make him an ideal choice for Crime Stoppers co-ordinator as the organization regularly holds school presentations. The Crime Stoppers co-ordinator is also responsible for taking tips received to the police as well as compiling statistics, assisting the board with projects, holding community presentations, and presenting cases where tips may be warranted to the board. "I'd like to get more into the high schools with the Crime Stoppers. We're finding more that we are going away from a face-to-face society. It's a technology and texts culture. The kids are huge on texting so I think that is really something that is really going to develop over the next few years," said Proteau. RAILINGS Rust Free Railings The Maximum in For Years of Security & Privacy. Low-Maintenance Reliability. EST. 1966 AWNING PRODUCTS www.jansawningpoducts.com 905 335 3733 SHOWROOM 4361 Harvester Road, Burlington Uncompromised Quality Since 1966