The Greater Springfield Area Crime Stoppers program continued to achieve great things in 2018!
One of the most notable statistics in 2018 include a 36% increase in the total number of tips made to Crime Stoppers. The overall amount of tipster follow-up increased by 45% while $44, 273 worth of drugs and $53,786 worth of property was recovered related to tips (this is an increase of 607%!). Fourteen firearms were recovered, four stolen vehicles were recovered, and 41 people were arrested (a 73% increase). These successes would not have been possible without anonymous tipsters and the support of the greater Springfield community.
Additionally, Crime Stoppers, in partnership with the City of Springfield and the Springfield Police Department (SPD), devised an innovative new way to advertise the program and educate citizens about what Crime Stoppers is. Springfield City Council generously purchased four Pro-Tektor kiosks for use exclusively by Crime Stoppers. These kiosks allow Crime Stoppers to share arrests, featured fugitives, SPD information, and program information. The kiosks will be at community events and various businesses throughout Springfield; rotating locations every six months.
Current kiosk locations include:
- Kum and Go (1505 N. National)
- Park Central Library (128 Park Central Square)
- Wal-Mart (3520 W. Sunshine)
- Wal-Mart (2825 N. Kansas Expressway).
The program received national recognition in 2018 when the program coordinator at the time, Springfield Officer Rachel Kleemann, received the Crime Stoppers Coordinator of the Year award through Crime Stoppers USA after being nominated by the Board of Directors.
Crime Stoppers had its biggest feature ever at the Ozark Empire Fair with a “Top 25 Most Wanted” display. As of January, only five featured fugitives from that display were still wanted. All other fugitives were either arrested by law enforcement or turned themselves in after seeing themselves featured. The annual fair display generates an opportunity for community members to visit with board members.
Crime Stoppers also hosted the first True Crime Trivia Night fundraiser. This fun event was catered by Bubba’s BBQ, included raffle items and door prizes donated by local businesses, and a night of crime trivia to help raise funds for the program since Crime Stoppers operates solely on private donations. Anchor Tactical Supply donated a $350 gift card to be raffled to benefit Crime Stoppers in a separate fundraising effort.
The board voted to continue participating in the Adopt-a-Street program. Board members pick up trash along Commercial Street three times a year. The latest street cleanup was May 4.
Social media proved to be helpful with Crime Stoppers’ objective to reduce crime and make Greene County safer. A featured fugitive post on Facebook reached 29,400-plus people. This was a significant increase than the most far-reaching post in 2017. Some fugitives saw their wanted posts on social media and turned themselves in. Others s were arrested within hours of their feature appearing on social media.
We look forward to more events in 2019 to get the word out about how Crime Stoppers serves the community. Visit us on social media at:
- Facebook: facebook.com/GSACrimeStop
- Website: springfieldcrimestoppers.com
- Twitter: @GSACrimeStop