Hamilton International partners with Crime Stoppers of Hamilton and Hamilton Police Service to enhance crime prevention via awareness campaign

Hamilton, ON (January 24, 2024) – Today, TradePort International Corporation joined with Crime Stoppers of Hamilton and Hamilton Police Service to launch the Crime Doesn’t Fly Here awareness campaign to further strengthen crime prevention at John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (Hamilton International). The awareness campaign includes employee and partner engagement through presentations, posters and training initiatives, as well as public safety announcements, designed to raise awareness about criminal activities that may occur at an airport, how to identify those involved and options for reporting.

“The Crime Doesn’t Fly Here campaign will increase attention on potential criminal activities that are known to occur in Canada’s aerodromes, such as smuggling of drugs and illegal weapons, contraband tobacco, vehicle and property theft and human trafficking. Crime Stoppers plays a role by providing all citizens, including airport employees and partners, a means of reporting what they know anonymously, working to enhance the safety of our communities,” said Lily Lumsden, Chair, Crime Stoppers of Hamilton.

“Hamilton International, like all airports across Canada, is highly regulated and operates with robust safety and security measures in place. This partnership and campaign are intended to provide yet another layer of prevention at our airport, adding to existing options for reporting potential criminal or suspicious activity,” said Cole Horncastle, Executive Managing Director, Hamilton International.

The Crime Doesn’t Fly Here Campaign originated with Toronto Crime Stoppers and was developed by a multi-party working group to target transnational and organized crime networks that exploit the transportation industry to facilitate criminal activities across borders and within Canada’s provinces and communities. The campaign was designed to be shared and utilized by small, medium and large airports across Ontario and Canada.

“Hamilton Police Service recognizes the importance partnerships have on identifying and reducing crime in our community. We are proud to build on existing relationships with Crime Stoppers and Hamilton International on this campaign to protect the community we serve here in Hamilton,” said Chief Frank Bergen, Hamilton Police Service.

Every time a tip is provided to Crime Stoppers, it provides the police with one more opportunity to prevent or solve a crime and it gives the community one more chance to reclaim their neighbourhood from crime and violence. To make an anonymous report or for further information, please contact Crime Stoppers of Hamilton at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestoppershamilton.ca.

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About John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport

John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport is a growing international gateway for affordable travel and the largest overnight express freight airport in Canada. The Airport is owned by the City of Hamilton and managed under an agreement by TradePort International Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vantage Airport Group – an industry leading investor, developer, and manager of airport assets. This allows Hamilton International to incorporate best-in-class practices from around the world into its operations. As an efficient facilitator of cargo and passenger operations, Hamilton International is an economic engine and responsible community partner. Its strategic location and uncongested 24/7 operations make it an attractive option for both passenger and cargo carriers looking to serve the Southern Ontario market.

About Crime Stoppers of Hamilton Inc.

Crime Stoppers is a citizen program that works to help stop, prevent and solve crime. Crime Stoppers is an investigative tool that relies equally on the co-operation of law enforcement, the media and the community. Crime Stoppers encourages citizens to contact Crime Stoppers anonymously with information about crimes already committed or about to be committed. The guarantee of anonymity, promise to not appear in court as a witness, and the offer of a cash reward has proven to be an effective tool.

The first Crime Stoppers programme in Ontario started in Hamilton when then-Hamilton Police Chief Gordon V. Torrance attended an International Chiefs of Police Training Conference and saw a presentation on a new concept that would make a difference in policing. He brought the idea back to Hamilton and asked one of his officers to study the Crime Stoppers program to establish such a programme in Hamilton. This initiative was carried out with the help of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and its members. After months of planning, Crime Stoppers of Hamilton Inc. started operations in May 1983.

About Hamilton Police Service

Hamilton Police Service is an innovative police service dedicated to working in partnership with our communities to make Hamilton a safe and healthy place to live and work. Established in 1833, Hamilton has one of the oldest police services in the world. Today, 855 sworn members and 331 civilians provide service to Hamilton’s residents and manage over 400,000 calls for service.

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