Lewis County Crime Stoppers celebrates 20 years of helping catch crooks

An open house was held Jan. 20 at the Law and Justice Center in Chehalis to celebrate the 20th year of Lewis County Crime Stoppers, a non-profit group partnering with law enforcement to generate anonymous tips about crimes and wanted individuals. Founding member Glade Austin, who also serves presently on the Crime Stoppers Board, noted the room where the reception took place was also the room where the program began on Jan. 20, 1995.

Last week Lewis County Crime Stoppers celebrated their 20th anniversary and on Jan. 20 held an open house in Chehalis.

Founded Jan. 20, 1995, Board Member and former board chair Glade Austin said, when the group first began accepting anonymous tips about crime in the area, they had "no money to speak of," depending on irregular donations and performing fundraisers as needed to pay for tips that led to arrests.

With more than $45,000 awarded and more than 300 individuals captured since that time, Austin said the success of Crime Stoppers has really been the success of the Lewis County community.

"When you see results in the program," he said, "you see results based on what the community has done."

Austin said Crime Stoppers can now depend on funds raised through large silent auctions held every few years, with the next scheduled for 2016, as well as regular contributions from the community to continue paying for tips. He added the support shown by local law enforcement agencies and media outlets has played a significant role in their ability to acquire information on local crimes.

"There has been so much that Crime Stoppers has done," said Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza, who made an appearance at the open house, stating Crime Stoppers has played an "intricate part" in supporting law enforcement.

"They are truly partners in fighting crime," he continued, adding he felt the hours volunteered by those participating with Crime Stoppers display "servant leadership at its best."

And Austin said those serving with Crime Stoppers are planning new programs for the coming year, as well as hoping to expand on current activities.

He said one area they are hoping to grow in, and a program he is personally coordinating, is Student Crime Stoppers, which partners with local school districts to get teachers and students involved in observing and reporting crime concerns in their areas.

"There's a lot of potential there to get a lot of schools involved," he said, noting schools in Adna and Chehalis have joined since the program began last year.

"We've targeted bullying, weapons, gang activity," he said, stating the program has come in handy for students and teachers seeking to anonymously inform authorities about illegal activity when their jobs or personal safety may be threatened otherwise.

He said Crime Stoppers is also hoping to expand their My ID Club program, which collects identifiable information of children such as photographs, fingerprints and DNA for parents to keep on hand in case their child goes missing. Austin said the program is free and open to all local residents.

He added Crime Stoppers is hoping to soon set up a system by which they can receive text messages, stating such programs have been proven effective in other areas.

"We're working on the technology, which shouldn't be too difficult," he said, stating he has heard of other Crime Stoppers programs who have been able to receive information via text from witnesses of a crime while it was still taking place, noting how much more convenient and discrete a text can be rather than a phone call.

While these changes are in the works, Austin said there remains opportunities for community members who wish to provide their own ideas to become involved in Crime Stoppers. Austin said board positions are available for those who wish to serve among Crime Stoppers leadership, and stated the organization would benefit from those able to bring new ideas and energy to the group.

"We need some fresh blood," he said, stating those interested in serving would be able to contact current Board Chair Ross Austin at (360) 262-0239.

Additional information can also be found at www.lewiscountycrimestoppers.org, and anonymous tips can always be called in to 1-800-748-6422. Information leading to the arrest of a suspect could result in a cash award of up to $1,000.