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Crime Stoppers returns to Graham, Young County

Sat, 08/06/2016 - 6:00 am
newsdesk@grahamleader.com
Graham and Young County have partnered with the Wichita Falls Crime Stoppers program on Aug. 3, joining Clay, Archer and Wichita counties, which are already part of the regional crime prevention program. Those who have information about a crime in Graham, Young County or the other three counties are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-322-9888. They could be eligible to receive a reward of up to $1,000. All calls are anonymous and and no calls will be recorded. “I think that people have always been afraid to report crimes because they thought that they would be retaliated against, and Crime Stoppers allows people to anonymously report crimes that they’ve witnessed, not only that there is a reward,” said Graham Chief of Police Tony Widner. “If the information leads to the arrest or conviction, in reference to a crime, then they will pay cash rewards to those people.” Rewards are said to not exceed $1,000, but according to Widner, the amount can be more or less than that, based on the the crime and the situation. Widner said each area in the Wichita Falls program has representatives that sit on a board of directors and approve the reward amounts. “They give them the information, it’s sorted and given back to us and when we tell them, ‘Yes, (from) the lead you gave us, we found the stolen property at this house,’ then, when that person calls back, their board meets and decides how much of a reward should be given for that information,” Widner said. “If we save somebody’s life, there is no telling how much more that reward might go up.” The board of directors for the Wichita Falls Crime Stoppers program which contains 25 members, according GPD Sgt. B.J. Cook, who will serve as one of the coordinators for the program in Graham and Young County. Cook’s partner coordinator, GPD Sgt. Chris Denney, said they already have considered Young County board candidates. For the rest of this story, pick up a copy of Saturday's Graham Leader, or subscribe to our online edition.