Cops replace stolen cash for field trips
Local Ontario Provincial Police officers came to the rescue of students at Pelee Island public school this week when they replaced more than $2,200 in cash stolen from the students’ field trip fund.
The money — raised by the 14 elementary students — was stolen on Nov. 7 during an overnight crime spree that involved a string of break-ins on the island.
OPP Const. James Lyman, who works with the marine unit that is responsible for policing on the island, co-ordinated the initiative to replace the stolen money.
Lyman said he was really bothered by the thought that the students wouldn’t be able to participate in any extra activities because of the theft.
“They didn’t have any field trips this year if they didn’t have any money,” he said.
The children raised money through raffles for hunters, who flood the island in the fall for the annual pheasant hunt.
So Lyman decided to send an email out to his co-workers explaining the situation and asking if they wanted to “chip in a few bucks.” The response was overwhelming. “Guys were throwing money at me left, right and centre,” Lyman said. “We seemed to raise up quite a bit of money.”
Lyman collected $885, which was matched by cOPPs for Charity — a fundraising arm of the OPP. In addition, the Kingsville and Essex community policing committees each donated $250, for a grand total of $2,270.
The money was presented Monday to school principal Richard Galloway, Pelee Island Mayor Rick Masse and the happy students.
Masse said it was awesome that the police would be so generous.
He said the marine unit spends a lot of time on the island so “they become part of the community and when you become part of the community you tend to care more.”
Masse said it’s difficult for the children to raise funds on Pelee Island because of the small population. There are about 200 yearround residents on the island.
And even though he was sure the municipality would have stepped up and helped the kids out, he said it’s very special that the police did instead.
“It really shows that they … have our best interests at heart,” Masse said.
The theft is still under investigation.
Anyone with information can call the OPP at 519-723-2491. Anonymous tips can be made through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Callers may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
Guys were throwing money at me left, right and centre. We seemed to raise up quite a bit of money.