Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers: $4,400 in Rewards Approved in 2013

CANTON — Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers in 2013 authorized $4,400 in rewards for anonymous tips that led to the arrests of more than a dozen people, on charges ranging from drugs to firearm theft to involvement in a fiery explosion at an oil storage facility. Recapping what’s termed a successful year of activity, Andy Flowers, president of Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers, said that in 2014, the organization will continue to increase its visibility. Flowers says the goal is to make sure people are aware they can provide information that helps police and sheriff’s deputies make arrests, and that they can collect cash rewards for doing so.

“We have made it easier to submit tips, now that people have the choice of either calling us at 903-567-STOP (567-7867) or submitting a tip through our website via their computer or mobile phone,” Flowers said. “Since we began accepting tips through our website � http://www.vanzandtcrimestoppers.org � last spring, the percentage of online tips keeps rising. This has turned out to be a very popular option.”

At the website, there is a special tip submission form that can be filled out and submitted, completely anonymously, just like calls to the tip line are always anonymous. Anyone who submits a tip to Crime Stoppers is given a special code number. Later, once an arrest has been made and an award is approved by the Crime Stoppers board, the tipster can call the tip line and get the additional reward code information needed to pick up the cash reward at a local bank.

Crime Stoppers gives out cash rewards of up to $1,000 to encourage tips that lead to the arrest of a person who has either just committed a crime or is wanted on a warrant. The rewards are financed by criminal court fines and donations. More information about Crime Stoppers is available at the Crime Stoppers website or on Facebook.