TELEMARKETING CAMPAIGN RAISES MORE THAN EXPECTED

A telemarketing campaign sponsored by a group of Cape Girardeau police officers raised more money than expected, a spokesman said.

At the end of the seven-week fund raiser, the Cape Girardeau Police Officers Association had received about $23,500 to support charitable activities, community groups and equipment purchases for police, said patrolman Curtis Session, association president.

That is only a portion of the money donated.

The association's contract with Tel Tech 2000, Inc., of Cape Girardeau stipulates that 60 percent of the money go to pay for operating and administrative expenses. The association keeps 40 percent.

Association members had looked at numerous telemarketing agencies before settling on Tel Tech. Most telemarketers keep more than 75 percent of money raised, said Bill Bohnert, the association's treasurer.

"We spent months looking at telemarketers before we settled on a local one," Bohnert said.

Although the association has not made a final decision on telemarketing for raising money next year, Session thinks it's a viable option.

"I believe telemarketing works in the right atmosphere," he said. "This year it got us exposure."

Session and other association members spent part of their evenings observing Tel Tech employees making calls.

"I was there most of the time," Session said. "I'd be surprised if anyone said they were treated discourteously."

Although Police Chief Rick Hetzel said he supports the association and has made donations to it, its fund-raising methods bother him. Telemarketers who called residents throughout Cape Girardeau County didn't clarify the money went to a non-profit organization, not the police department.

"If they were asked, many contributors would say they were led to believe this was sanctioned by the police department," Hetzel said.

Part of the donations are already being spent on DARE and Team Spirit programs, Session said. DARE, which stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education, gets money from the association on a quarterly basis. Team Spirit, a leadership program for high school students, provides information on alcohol and driving.

The association welcomes inquiries from other community groups that need support, Session said.

Another part of the money will be used for bulletproof vests. Session anticipates that 15 to 20 vests will be purchased.

The association will look at lighter-weight vests costing between $500 and $700, Bohnert said.