CRIME STOPPERS LOOKS BACK ON ROOTS

Crime Stoppers, a program designed to offer rewards for information leading to the arrest of criminals, was initiated in Cape Girardeau four years ago with the goal of cuttting down on a rash of burglaries.

The program seems to be meeting its goals.

Within six months, 55 "tip" calls had been received and three "home invaders" had been arrested.

Just recently, tips led to the arrest of two persons who vandalized old Notre Dame High School.

Statistics today, after three years with the program, are impressive:

* A total of 224 tips.

* 63 cases cleared up.

* $6,250 in reward money paid out.

The Crime Stoppers group works with the news media -- print and broadcast -- to provide information on certain crimes. The Crime Stoppers telephone hotline -- 332-0500 -- is housed at the Cape Girardeau Police Department and manned by trained police personnel.

"We know the program is working," said Kevin Govero, Southeast Missouri Crime Stopper chairman.

Govero discussed Crime Stoppers during a talk at the Cape Girardeau Lion's Club Wednesday.

The whole purpose to have citizens; interaction and support for the local authorities to solve crimes. 'We have great support form the authorities,' Governo said "Anonymity is the key."

The Lion's Club was instrumental in getting the organization started here, said Govero.

"People were concerned about a record-setting year for burglaries in 1996," he said. "Those burglaries included about 16 involving elderly residents, between the ages of 60 to 95."

Mitch Robinson, executive director of the Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association, a member of the Lions, and Ben Lewis, then president of the club, arranged a Lions meeting with some members of the Paducah, Ky. Crime Stoppers group.

Paducah had some impressive credentials from Crime Stoppers 2,175 calls and 890 arrests over a 10-year period.

"We patterned our club after the Paducah group," said Govero.

Led by the Lion's Club here, a number of civic clubs and other groups kicked in with funds, and Crime Stoppers started here in June of 1997.

Crime Stoppers is a national crime-fighting program that offers reward money for information leading to arrests.

"We don't require convictions," said Govero.

Arrests come as a result of anonymous information provided by those seeking reward money. Donations are collected through donations and fund-raisers, he said.

"It's strictly anonymous," added Govero. "We talk the calls, issue the caller a number, and the caller keeps in touch with us. Once an arrest is made, we make arrangements for payment."

Some refuse the reward money, said Govero. The local chapter has paid out over $6,000 over the three-year period.

It was formed in 1976 in Albuquerque, N. M., following the killing of a young man. A law enforcement officer, working with the local media, organized the plan, which resulted in the killers being identified and prosecuted.

Today, Crime Stoppers International includes 1,106 chapters in more than 50 countries.