Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers was awarded for being the Most Productive Crime Stoppers program in the entire Southeastern US.
The Productivity Award was given at a banquet culminating the 38th annual training conference for the Southeastern Crime Stoppers Association in Asheville, NC. The Productivity Award is based on the number of tips received during 2018, as well as the number of arrests, cases cleared, and the value of drugs and property seized as a result of anonymous tips.
The award presentation marks the 14th consecutive year that Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers has earned the designation of the Most Productive program in the region. In addition to the Productivity Award, Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers also earned the Most Creative Advertising Award.
“The success of our program is a testament to the value and importance of having a Crime Stoppers program in our community,” said Trish Routte, Board Coordinator, who was on hand in Asheville to receive these awards.
“We have spent years building trust so that residents know they can reach out to us 24 hours a day and share what they know about unsolved crimes and wanted fugitives, without ever having their identities revealed. Community members continue to step up and provide tips which have led to hundreds of criminals being taken off the streets and relocated to a jail cell, every year. These awards are a testament to the successful relationships between Crime Stoppers, law enforcement, and the general public.”
To date, anonymous tips to Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers number well over 75,000, resulting in the closure of more than 20,000 criminal cases. Tips have also led to the seizure of $18,938,000 in drugs and stolen property. And for those tips, $1.993 million in cash rewards have been approved for payout.
