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Local News

July 23, 2008

Crime Stoppers group $1,000 richer

Tips rewarded on category

John Walker

Crime Stoppers of Stephens County received a $1,000 donation Thursday from the district attorney’s office.

District Attorney Bret Burns said the money was acquired from drug dealers.

“We fully support our Crime Stoppers program in Stephens County,” Burns said. “Crime prevention and public safety can only be achieved through the cooperation of law enforcement, prosecution and programs like Crime Stoppers.”

Duncan Police Detective Dan Fletcher said that Crime Stoppers is an organization that rewards people for giving crime tips to the police anonymously.

“The donation will help with the rewards,” Fletcher said.

Many of the tips that are received are tips dealing with drugs, Fletcher said.

Crime Stoppers is a worldwide organization. Each local chapter has a board of directors that awards the tipster according to the type of crime the tip is about, but only after the tip has led to an arrest and prosecution, Fletcher said.

Barbara Carter, president of the local chapter, said that a tip for arson will be handled differently than a tip for murder.

“We have different categories,” Carter said.

“We pay up to $1,000.”

Fletcher said that no law enforcement official can be on the board of directors.

“It is strictly civilians,” he said.

But phone calls to Crime Stoppers are all answered by Fletcher because he acts as the liaison between the organization and all law enforcement agencies.

“It is a joint effort of citizens, law enforcement and prosecutors,” Fletcher said. “Everyone is involved.”

Carter agreed.

“We’re here to assist and help law enforcement,” she said. “We’re aware of their need for assistance from the community.”

Crime Stoppers in Stephens County has been around for more than 25 years.

Anyone who is a witness to a crime or has information about a crime may call them at 580-252-INFO or 800-560-TIPS.

All calls are completely anonymous.

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