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Crime Stoppers there to help create safer community, lEply texts a tip into Crime Stoppers. Another video shows a girl calling Crime Stop- pers with information after she sees a student break into a locker and steal a cell phone. * "In that kind of group there's a stigma about ratting out not just your friends, but anyone," said Norm Bellefontaine, chair of Crime Stop- pers of Halton. "The idea is that if you want a safe commu- nity, not just for yourself, but for your family and friends you can use the Crime Stoppers service and you won't be stigmatized in the same way you would be if you stepped for- ward outside of that." Proteau said he also tells the younger stu- dents that in a few years they will be running the school and as such they can set the tone now for the type of school they want to have. He said he would work to spread the message of Crime Stoppers to newcomers through events such as Police Day and the annual ESINC (Emergency Services Introduction for New Canadians) Day. Proteau also said he would work with offi- cers from the Halton police SALT (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together) program to raise awareness of Crime Stoppers among seniors. Bellefontaine argued that when someone witnesses criminal activity they have a choice of either helping the police by saying some- thing or helping the criminal by remaining silent. "When they decide not to get involved they have made a very conscious decision to vote against community safety and actually sup- port the criminal element' he said. "It's a very distinct decision and I don't think people realize that." Proteau said Crime Stoppers does not sub- scribe tÔ call display to ensure the anonymity of those who call. He pointed out any tips that come in through the web or through texting have their ad- dresses scrambled. In a previous interview Proteau noted de- Etor programming has resulted in $26 mil- lion in additional Ontario foods in daycares, schools, universities and other public institu- tions. Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn was on hand and noted buying local food reinvigorates the communities and keeps dollars in the prov- ince. "When we choose to buy and eat locally- grown food, we support the local food pro- ducers, but we also support the agri-food sector that does so much and contributes so much to Ontario's economy; he said. HHS will be partnering with Gordon Food Services and Signature Culinary Solutions to deliver fresh and healthy meals on the plates of patients, staff and visitors at HHS' trio of hospitals. "Our hospitals serve more than 300,000 resi- dents in the Halton Region -a nd being able to serve more fresh and locally-grown food options to our patients and their families while they are in our care will help enhance our culture of care' said Elma Hrapovich, HHS Director of Nutrition & Food Services. "The Greenbelt Fund provides us with the op- portunity to build local networks and support Ontario producers, as we develop a local food policy for HHS, helping lead the way for other healthcare facilities in Ontario." She added it's important for the hospitarto push its services to the next level. Gordon Food Services salsaoreceiving $37,500 from the Greenbelt Fund to conduct market research and develop a strategic plan to cre- ate three new food services hubs in Niagara, GTA/Central Ontario and Eastern Ontario. Jim Robinson, Gordon Food Service's director of marketing, said the food service distributor is excited about continuing to support Ontar- io farmers and producers, which is part of its long-term strategy. He expiained how over the next few months the company will be gathering data to see how well-penetrated local produce, protein and dairy items are in restaurants across southern Ontario. "That will really lay out a map, if you will, of what farmers/producers should be making to meet the needs of the restaurant marketplace in southern Ontario," he said, noting how it will identify demand and market share of lo- cal products. After the research is done, it will be shared to key participants of the local food service hubs. ;ays Halton chair fence lawyers have attempted to subpoena Crime Stoppers records or specific tips, but have failed in every instance because Cana- dian courts recognize the importance of the program. 3 Since its inception in 1988, tips madeto Crime Stoppers of Halton has resulted in 1,049 ar- rests, 2,043 cases being cleared, $54,565 in O rewards being paid out, $2,470,037 worth of z stolen property recovered, and $17,248,775 9 worth of drugs being seized. Crime Stoppers is a community-based charity p and as such requires donations to continuez> to operate. Donations can be made through - Halton Region by calling 905-825-6000, ext. 5139, or online at www.haltoncrimestop- pers.com. Tips can be made to Crime Stoppers of Hal- ton by calling 905-825-8477 (TIPS) or visiting www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by tex- ting 'TIP201' with your message to CRIMES (274637). 0 The Buying locally helps to reinvigorate Communies, says MPP Rynn