The solving of the McDonald's drive through murder is a reminder of the importance tips play in solving crime. The "no snitch" mentality spread by evil doers to protect themselves and intimidate others is very dangerous. It threatens the peace and prosperity of our communities by breaking down law and order. There's no better way to destroy your neighborhood than to protect the criminals within.
Crime Alert Berks County fights criminals by establishing an anonymous method for people to report information. Their telephone number is 1-877-373-9913 or you can email tips to [email protected]. Tips on trash dumpers have been added and rewards are now being offered to those who report illegal dumpers. One arrest has already been made from this program.
The system works anonymously. Callers do not have to give any personal information. When you call you are given a code. To collect your reward in a case simply use that code and a Crime Alert person, probably Barry Rohrbach, will give you an envelope with the cash for your public service.
Crime Alert works. It has received 2,127 tips leading to over 200 arrests. They have paid over $80,000 to people providing information. The group is supported by the community. Go to their website for information about how and/or your company can support them.
The McDonald's case would not have been solved except for tips made to the police. Until people are willing to take a stand for their communities and their neighborhoods there isn't much law enforcement can do to protect them. It must be a collaborative effort.
John:
Thanks for making note of the work done by Crime Alert Berks County.
I've been a member of this organization for many years because it is all volunteer. We have no staff and there are no administrative costs. All moneys raised are designated for awareness and the payment of rewards.
Tips provided to Crime Alert not only help solve cases -- they many times save municipalities and police departments huge costs involved in prolonged investigations. Crime Alert has many success stories, including the quick arrest in the suspect some years ago who pushed a car with two young moms and their toddlers in the path of an oncoming train in Sinking Spring. That incident claimed four innocent lives. Thanks to a tip from a local resident, the suspect was captured before he could leave the US mainland.
Just one thing -- Barry Rohrbach, Crime Alert founder and president, does not personally handle the process wherein a credible, proven tipster receives his or her monetary reward. How that occurs is an internal matter and not one to be shared.
What is important is that the process -- from start to finish -- guarantees a tipster's anonymity.
Crime Alert has done much since its inception in August 1998. The board expects to continue to do everything it can to assist the law enforcement community in Berks and help make this county as safe and secure as possible.
Thanks, again, John, for mentioning Crime Alert Berks County.
Posted by: Donna Reed | August 24, 2007 at 03:55 PM