CRIME STOPPERS "We don't want your name, just your information." 620-792-1300 or 888-305-1300

History
Crime Stoppers of Great Bend and Barton County is a non-profit organization of citizens against crime that was founded in 1984. This program is a member in good standing with the Kansas Association of Crime Stoppers and Crime Stoppers International, Inc. which is the parent organization that oversees nearly 900 programs throughout the world. Through an integral networking system these programs have been responsible for solving over 419,000 felony crimes, resulting in the recovery of almost $3 billion worth of narcotics and stolen property. Most incredibly, these programs have provided information from ANONYMOUS callers, resulting in a conviction rate of 96 percent worldwide.

Locally, Crime Stoppers of Great Bend and Barton County has cleared over 200 crimes with over $500,000 worth of narcotics and stolen property recovered resulting in a conviction rate of 100%.

The concept of scholastic Crime Stoppers was originated in Boulder, Colorado in 1983. Since that time the Boulder program has been a great success, and serves as an international role model for other communities hopeful of initiating such a program.

Crime Stoppers of Great Bend and Barton County has made a commitment to launch a scholastic program at BCCC. They are also pleased to announce that they have formed similar scholastic programs in all of the county middle schools and high schools.

Definitions
Victim - Any member of the College against whom a crime has been committed.

Faculty Coordinator - The faculty representative who will administer the program at BCCC.

Informant - Anyone with information about a crime or information that will prevent a crime.

BCCC Crime Stoppers - A team of six student board members, faculty coordinator and support staff. The goals of this group are to create an awareness of crimes being committed on campus, reduce victimization resulting from criminal acts, reduce the use and sale of alcohol and drugs and to promote caring and pride at BCCC.

Guaranteed Anonymity - A commitment from the College, Faculty Coordinator, President, staff and Crime Stoppers of Great Bend and Barton County. The coordinator will not be questioned as to the identity of the informant.

Operational Procedures
Step 1 - Anonymous Informant
The informant calls Crime Stoppers of Great Bend and Barton County at (620) 792-1300 or toll free at 1-888-305-1300. The informant does not identify him- or herself and no recording or caller I.D. is used. The informant indicates that the call is in relation to a crime occurring at BCCC. If the information is related to a crime that is beyond the College’s jurisdiction and adjudication power, the detective answering the phone will relay the information to the proper law enforcement agency. If the information is related to a crime that falls within the jurisdiction and adjudication power of the College, the detective will immediately relay the information to the Faculty Coordinator.

Step 2 - Investigation
The information will be provided to an investigating officer or the Faculty Coordinator, depending on jurisdiction. If the case falls in the jurisdiction of a local law enforcement agency, the investigating officer works the case in cooperation with the Faculty Coordinator.

Step 3(a) - Reward
The caller periodically needs to call the Crime Stoppers Phone to check on the progress of the investigation. When the case is solved, the Detective manning the line will advise the informant to call back after the BCCC Board has had a chance to meet and consider a reward. When the case reaches a final conclusion it will be presented to the BCCC Crime Stoppers Board for review and consideration of a reward. When the informant calls back, the Detective will advise him or her of the amount of the reward and the informant will be asked to go to a local financial institution after a certain date and provide the number that has been assigned to their information. At the financial institution, the informant can go through the drive-thru or submit the number to the receptionist and be given an envelope with the cash reward.

Step 3(b) - Felony Rewards
In the case of a felony reward, the information will be given to the Crime Stoppers of Great Bend and Barton County Board for review and may be referred back to the BCCC Crime Stoppers Board for a decision.

Program Objectives

• To make the student body aware of the importance of reducing and preventing alcohol and drug use and/or sales.
• To reduce or prevent the number of crimes committed on College property.
• To reduce or prevent the amount of vandalism of College and personal property.
• To maintain a good working relationship with local law enforcement officials.
• To have a mechanism in place which will allow students to pass along vital information to help solve crimes.
• To provide an anonymous opportunity for all students to report a crime without fear or retributions.
• To make the College a safe and rewarding place for all student to learn.
• To develop a sense of trust and dignity of faculty and students.