Local CrimeStoppers shuts down due to lack of funding

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Rod Carroll, a board member for EasTex CrimeStoppers, which covered 11 counties in Southeast Texas, announced that the program is becoming inactive at a press conference at the Port Arthur Police Department on Thursday. Roger Cowles

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September 9, 2010

Roger Cowles The Port Arthur News The Port Arthur News Thu Sep 09, 2010, 07:58 PM CDT

The case of the funeral burglars might never have been solved without the assistance of EasTex CrimeStoppers.

The burglars would hit the homes of grieving family members who were gone to a funeral. The CrimeStoppers tips led authorities on a multi-state investigation in 2009 that culminated in an arrest in New York.

But the tipsters that helped solve the crime may no longer have the same incentive to call the tip line.

Rod Carroll, a board member with EasTex CrimeStoppers, announced Thursday that the organization is becoming inactive because of a shortage of funding.

“There’s always crime and I hope there’s always CrimeStoppers,” Carroll said at a press conference at the Port Arthur Police Department.

Carroll referred those with tips about crimes to the Texas CrimeStoppers program. That number is 1-800-252-TIPS (252-8477). Calls to the EasTex CrimeStoppers number, (409) 724-TIPS (724-8477), will be forwarded to Texas CrimeStoppers.

He said that two reasons prompted most calls to CrimeStoppers, a desire by the caller to remain anonymous, and for the cash rewards. The ability to remain anonymous will still be in place with the Texas CrimeStoppers program, or just by asking the local police department to remain anonymous. The motivation offered by the cash rewards may not be as accessible with the state program.

EasTex CrimeStoppers paid out $24,000 in cash rewards in 2008, Carroll said. Rewards of up to $1,000 were given for information about crimes that led to an indictment. Carroll said his understanding is that the state program pays cash rewards for information about fugitives on the Texas Ten Most Wanted list.

Wendy Billiot, an officer with the Port Arthur Police Department, said that while CrimeStoppers tips can be pivotal in an investigation, the department will continue to investigate as diligently as ever.

“It’s not like the Port Arthur Police Department is shutting down its investigations,” she said. But she did acknowledge that “we won’t have that extra help.”

EasTex CrimeStoppers has been active for 21 years and has grown to cover 11 counties, making it one of the largest CrimeStoppers programs in the nation. Port Arthur has had a CrimeStoppers program since 1981.

Funding for the program comes from private donations and probationary funds. Carroll said the decision to make the program inactive was difficult for the board, but that the current economic climate made fundraising difficult.

The Beaumont CrimeStoppers program is not affected by the decision to make the EasTex program inactive. The Beaumont program can be contacted at 409-833-TIPS (833-8477).

He said efforts at fundraising will continue and the program could be revived if ongoing funding sources were found.

“We’re trying to look at all sources, he said. “There’s a need.”

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Local CrimeStoppers shuts down due to lack of funding

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