Crime Stoppers & MediaPlex awarded for best video

A journalism team at the St. Clair College MediaPlex has won first place over 1,200 competitors in an international competition associated with Crime Stoppers programs around the world.

 

Volunteers from Windsor & Essex County Crime Stoppers and the St. Clair College MediaPlex were recognized Oct. 3 for their efforts in specialized training video production.

 

MediaPlex graduate Andrew Rittenhouse, Det. Tim Murphy and Const. Ryan Burney were awarded Best Video in the Specialized Training Video category at this year’s annual Crime Stoppers International Conference in Las Vegas.

 

Consideration for the award was based on the group’s explanation of the video’s purpose, the video’s contribution to public awareness, originality of the idea or concept and the overall quality of the submitted video. MediaPlex producer, script editor and professor David Harrison said the video showed the potential of the MediaPlex and the students.

 

“It was an opportunity to work with the community while at the same time allowing our student (Rittenhouse) to broaden his skill set,” said Harrison.

 

Crime Stoppers has been working with the MediaPlex for the past year on media related projects such as the Crime Stoppers “Crime of the Week” segment on their YouTube channel.

 

“This project allowed for teaching and learning in all aspects of production. It provided a real life experience for Andrew and makes him more marketable,” said MediaPlex technical producer Larry Forsyth.

 

Rittenhouse was not available for comment at press time. Burney said the professionalism of Rittenhouse and the MediaPlex team was “unbelievable.”

 

“We’re police officers not trained in media. Everyone was professional and made the whole process easy for Tim (Murphy) and me,” said Burney.

 

Journalism students in the MediaPlex produce digital and traditional radio, TV shows and their newspaper, The Converged Citizen.

 

The video is being used as a training module for new civilian volunteers to Crime Stoppers. It aims to educate the volunteers about the program so they can answer questions posed by members of the public. The Crime Stoppers program is a non-profit organization and is funded by private donations and fund raising. Tips leading to an arrest can receive up to a $2,000 reward. To leave a tip for Crime Stoppers call 519-258-TIPS (8477).