Erath County Crime Stoppers, Inc. is governed by
a civilian Board of Directors comprised of ten to twenty members
who broadly represent the community. The Board must oversee
the general operation of the program and administer funds received
through public contributions. Specifically, the Board sets policies
which create and control the program, raises funds to pay rewards
and cover administrative costs, and determines the amount and
method of reward payments and acts as trustee of funds contributed
by citizens business and service groups.
A police officer is designated as police coordinator. This
person (Officer David Milmo) is responsible for overseeing
the day-to-day operation of the program and also serves as
a liaison between the law enforcement agency, the Board of
Directors, and the news media. Other law enforcement officers
may be assigned to the program to assist the police coordinator
to the investigating unit handling the case.
If the information provided leads to the arrest and indictment
of an offender, the informant is then eligible for a reward.
The Board of Directors determines the amount of the reward
to be paid, based on the police coordinator's recommendation.
This recommendation is based on the type of case, value of
the information, the amount of property recovered, the number
of cases solved as a result of the information and other criteria.
When the informant calls back, a location will be arranged
and payment will be made in cash by the police coordinator
and a member of the Board.
A "Crime of the Week" is commonly highlighted weekly
in local newspapers and on local radio.
In addition to the reward system cited above, a specific
unsolved felony crime may be chosen and a fixed amount of
reward assigned to the crime. In order to be eligible for
this special reward, a citizen must provide information leading
to the arrest and indictment for this specific crime within
7 days after the crime appears in the media.
Because of delays involved from the time of arrest to the
time of indictment, a "Quick $50" program has been
developed. If a caller provides information that leads to
the recovery of stolen property, a reward of 10% of the value
of the property, up to $50.00 is paid immediately to the caller.
Or, if the information leads to a felony arrest or recovery
of narcotics, the caller would receive $50.00. The Board still
makes a determination of the case after indictment, with any
final reward being reduced by $50.00.
Law enforcement officers, their immediate families, victims
of the felony crime and the pre-indicted fugitive felon will
not be eligible for the Crime Stoppers reward. If two or more
persons furnish information regarding the same crime, the
reward money shall be divided as the Board may determine.
Crime doesn't pay, but
Crime Stoppers does!