Crime Stoppers celebrates 25th birthday

Van Wert independent/Crime Stoppers information

Crime Stoppers is an organization committed to playing a significant role in reducing crime in our community.  The local program currently led by Lt. Kurt Conn of the Van Wert Police Department as law enforcement coordinator and Kim Brandt as chairman of the board, brings the community and law enforcement together in an effort to prevent and solve crimes using anonymous tips

It was March 4, 1987, when the original 16-member Crime Stoppers Board assigned Mike Stanley as the first Van Wert County Crime Stoppers coordinator. Local law enforcement agencies have been working with the Crime Stoppers program ever since.

“I am especially proud and happy to report that one Board member has served the Crime Stoppers program the entire 25 years, a special thank you to Jesse Michaud for his exceptional commitment to Crime Stoppers,” Brandt said. “His dedication is greatly appreciated!”

Over the years nearly $10,000 has been paid out to tipsters who have stepped up to help solve crimes such as theft of autos and property, breaking and entering, assault, drug trafficking, arson, receiving stolen property, bomb threats and vandalism.

A total of $75,000 in property has been recovered and 115 arrests have been made, with many of those arrested facing felony charges based on Crime Stoppers tips.

A percentage of Crime Stoppers funding comes from local court fees with the bulk of the funding coming from donations of individuals and businesses.

“As the current chairman of the Van Wert County Crime Stoppers organization I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the community, our business supporters and the Crime Stoppers Board members and law enforcement representatives for the continuous support of the Crime Stoppers program to make Van Wert County a safer place to live,” Brandt said.

Crimes of the week are posted in local newspapers, on the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department webpage http://www.vanwertcountysheriff.com and on the Van Wert County 9-1-1 Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Van-Wert-County-9-1-1-Operations. Crime Stoppers has a static web page http://vwcrimestoppers.com.

Those who have information leading to the arrest of persons involved in a crime can contact Van Wert County Crime Stoppers at 419.238.Stop (7867). Those providing tips could be paid up to $1,000. Tipsters are never asked to give their names and receive their rewards through confidential transactions. With continued anonymous tips and community support, Crime Stoppers will continue to fight crime in Van Wert County for another 25 years.