Without you none of this is possible

By Jeff Yates | The Sunday Column | Special Guest Columnist

Cleveland County Crime Stoppers Inc is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation serving the residents of Cleveland County through our partnership with all four of our Law Enforcement Agencies:

Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, Shelby Police Department, Kings Mountain Police Department and Boiling Springs Police Department.

Our partnership is based on technology that allows a person (tipster) to anonymously provide information to police that solves a crime or results in an arrest. The tipster is only known as a computer-generated tip number. A cash reward is made available to the tipster and paid anonymously by instructing the tipster to bring their tip number – as proof of “identity” to the drive-thru window of Fidelity Bank where an envelope containing the reward money is now provided.

A completely anonymous transaction!

In a nutshell, this is the idea behind Crime Stoppers and how we operate.

Now the inside information...

Without our 15 member, dedicated, hardworking, loyal, volunteer Board of Directors, none of this can happen.

Without total partnership with Law Enforcement, none of this can happen.

Without support from the public, none of this can happen.

Without our amazing sponsors, none of this can happen.

Without our grant providers, none of this can happen.

Now I can elaborate:

#1) There are over 70 Crime Stoppers Programs across the State of North Carolina. Our Board of Directors is second to NONE! Our monthly meetings are filled with tip payout decisions, great ideas for fundraising, event participation and general improvement of all aspects to make our Program the best that we can be. You will find us everywhere in the County getting the word out to whoever will listen.

How do I know this? Through conversation with members of the North Carolina State Crime Stoppers Association, our umbrella entity. The dedication we have doesn’t always happen with other programs and I am so proud of our volunteer Board of Directors!

#2) We enjoy total support from all of our Law Enforcement Agencies.

How do I know this? We ALWAYS have representatives from our law enforcement agencies that attend our monthly meetings and join the conversation especially when it comes to clarifying points of criminal law and tipster payout. We value their input, and they keep us up to date with joint events that we can take advantage of. For example, we are given the opportunity to address participants at Law Enforcement Citizens Academies that generally happen yearly. We also rotate the location of our monthly board meetings at our law enforcement agencies. In addition, the Shelby Police Department provides us with office space – a much-needed amenity.

#3) We have continuing and expanding support from the public.

How do I know this? We have more and more requests for us to address civic groups, neighborhood groups, church groups, and business groups to explain what we do, how we do it and how people can apply to join us.

#4) Our sponsors help and help again!

How do I know this? We constantly get monetary help and print material from local businesses and community leaders in our fundraising efforts. This is so important to our need to maintain a steady cash flow and be able to pay anonymous tipsters for their information that aids law enforcement in solving crimes.

Our sponsors are always named and celebrated on our social media pages and our website as our partners.

#5) Our grant providers are amazing and have made our program viable and productive.

How do I know this? Without help from Albemarle Corporation, Catawba Nation Foundation, Walmart Distribution Center and Walmart Store Shelby, we would not be able to have the cash on hand to pay anonymous tipsters, fund our general operating costs and pay for board members to attend continuing training. (Some grants have restrictions that we must comply with.)

Do you have an interest in joining a highly regarded program? Apply to become a volunteer board member!

You must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of Cleveland County, and have reliable transportation. A background check is done for each applicant.

We meet once a month for a business meeting, and could work up to 25 various events per year throughout Cleveland County – most occur on weekends. Our work is highly rewarding and satisfying with all members contributing to our cause.

You can request an online application for Board Member by sending an email to stoppers.c@yahoo.com or a link can be found on our website www.clevelandcountycrimestoppersinc.com

Read The Sunday Column, every week, only at ShelbyIndependent.com

Jeff Yates is the Chairman of the Cleveland County Crime Stoppers, Inc.

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