The Garland Crime Stoppers program, an independent organization founded in 1982, is funded by private donations from citizens and businesses, along with the money raised by the annual Taste of Garland event. The program receives no tax funds. Taste of Garland is scheduled for Saturday, April 23, from 7 – 10 p.m. The Curtis Culwell Center, located at 4999 Naaman Forest Blvd., will be populated by numerous local restaurants giving guests an opportunity to sample their offerings. This is the 27th Crime Stoppers Taste of Garland event.
The organization consists of representatives from the community and provides a way for citizens to pass along information on crimes to law enforcement officials. The program increases the number of tips received, thereby increases arrests. Additionally, the reward monies given help make Crime Stoppers an important crime fighting tool and encourages citizens to provide information.
Citizens can phone in tips or provide them online. When phoning, callers can be confident that their anonymity is guaranteed because the conversations are not recorded and the telephone used does not provide caller ID. The coordinator of the program completes an information form then passes the tip to the investigating officer.
The process is secure and anonymous when tips are provided online as well and it utilizes software called Anderson Software, the world’s leading tip providing software.
Crime Stoppers is a nonprofit organization with a board of directors from the local community. The members of the board meet monthly to evaluate arrests and discuss and decide the size of rewards to be paid out.
According to the group’s website, the program has resulted in thousands of arrests and the recovery of large amounts of property. Calls received on the Crime Stoppers line have included information about murder, robbery, rape, assaults, drug and firearm offenses.
Additional program benefits:
A greater awareness in the community that there is a crime problem.
A willingness by the community to fight back against crime if it is given the opportunity and motivation.
Improved relationships between police, the media and the community.
Source: www.garlandcrimestoppers.org