Good news
Crime Stoppers back in operation Crime Stoppers of the County of Fayette is back from the dead.
The program is meant to help the community combat crime together and had been in place for a number of years being dissolved in February of 2009. However, the program is back, having recently received its nonprofit status, and is ready for local tipsters to begin calling in information.
Rebuilding the program was not easy. After about a year of work, the group received its nonprofit charter and went about seeking funds to pay the rewards – part of what makes Crime Stoppers such a successful program. If that tip leads to an arrest or the recovery of stolen property, the person who made the tip is eligible for a reward, up to $1,000,
The local board deserves credit for resuscitating the program, especially the four officers, who were all members of the old board. They are president Daniel J. Venick; vice president, Doddie Wally; treasurer Carol J. Ashton and treasurer, Kathleen Rygiel.
It’s certainly reassuring to see that the well-respected Venick, a retired state police trooper, has agreed to serve as the board’s president. He’s very familiar with the program and how it can be an important weapon in the fight against crime.
Venick stressed that tipsters should leave their phone numbers so that they can be contacted to provide additional information.
“It’s anonymous, but if you expect a reward, then we need to be able to get back in touch with you,” said Venick.
State police trooper Scott Krofcheck, who serves as a liaison between the state police and the board, said oftentimes people leave tips, but police need to get more information from them to make the tip worthwhile.
Venick said the new board hopes to make the program better than last time, in part, by decreasing the waiting time for payments to tipsters once their information has been proven helpful.
The board is comprised of 11 people that come from all parts of Fayette County. The officers said the plan is to rotate board members and officers so that there is always a flow of fresh ideas and perspectives. They will meet once a month.
Anyone interested in becoming a board member can send a letter to Crime Stoppers of the County of Fayette, P.O. Box 352, Uniontown, Pa. 15401.
The board is also accepting donations, which are tax deductible. The local number for tips, 724-437-TIPS (8477), will remain the same. The alternate number for tips changed, and is now 1-888-404-TIPS (8477).
The Crime Stoppers program is extremely beneficial for the community to lend a hand in helping law enforcement. While a state version of the program was always available, we are pleased to see the Fayette program return.
The CSI: Crime Subjects Investigated forum has shown that crime is a problem in Fayette County, and we all need to work together to fight it. Crime Stoppers is a great way to help win that battle..