The Milam County Crime Stoppers program will mark its tenth year anniversary on Saturday, having been organized on September 23, 1996.  Sheriff Charlie West and Deputy Greg Kouba put the plan in the works in August of 1996 and the program was incorporated in September after a board was elected.  Raymon Puente, former Rockdale High School principal was installed as the first president.  Other board members elected at that time were Vice President Kerri Cunningham of Gause, the late Barbara Patzke of Crossroads Community and Cameron resident Marguerite Michalka as Treasurer.

 

Sheriff West said that program was initiated to bring together a partnership between law enforcement, the news media and the citizens of Milam County to work together to help fight crime, aid in the solution of felony offenses, arrest of wanted felons, the seizure of illegal narcotics and the recovery of stolen property.  Since that time, working with the Sheriff's Office, Rockdale PD, Cameron PD, Thorndale PD and the other agencies in Milam County, this program has resulted in over 173 persons being arrested; 155 offenses solved, 2,118 tips received and over $65,000 in rewards being paid out to tipsters according to program coordinator Deputy Greg Kouba.  Tips have led to over $113,000 in property being recovered and $32,000 in narcotics being seized from the streets.  Several weapons have also been turned over through the “Cash for Guns” program. 

 

 The program is made up of a volunteer citizen’s board of directors from around the County and a law enforcement coordinator.  The board meets on the first Monday of each month where the business of the organization is conducted and receives reward recommendations from the coordinator on cases cleared. 

 

Milam County Crime Stoppers has operated their toll-free TIPS line (1-888-697-TIPS) 24 hours a day since inception.  The program has been a very valuable tool in the investigation and solution of crimes committed here in our county where no leads or very little evidence was found.  The citizens of Milam County have provided this organization with numerous tips that have led to solutions of cases involving stolen vehicles, arson, criminal mischief, thefts, burglaries, robberies, sexual assaults, child abuse, and many narcotics arrests.  In addition, over 70 fugitives have been arrested as a result of tips called in to the program.

 

The program was certified in 1996 by the Texas Crime Stoppers Advisory Council and has maintained this status ever since.  The program became a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization with the IRS in order for donations to be considered tax-deductible for citizens and business who support it.  The program receives no city, state or county funding and is operated solely by donations to the program from businesses and citizens in Milam County.

 

Crime Stoppers also receives support from the District and County Courts.  District Judge Ed Magre and County Judge Frank Summers have both signed orders requiring every person placed on probation to make a payment of $50 or $25 to the crime stoppers reward fund as a condition of probation.  Milam County District Attorney Kerry Spears continues her support of the Crime Stoppers program by including restitution for rewards paid in the sentences. 

 

 Defendants are required to repay the reward money that was paid out to the tipster back to the crime stoppers program.  Making the criminals pay for their capture.  The monies are then collected by the Adult Probation Office in Cameron and passed back to the crime stoppers program.  “This helps out quite a bit, but it doesn’t totally fund the program” said Kouba.  “We still depend on donations from citizens and business to keep the program alive” he added.

 

In addition, donations have been received from persons who have been called for jury duty in Milam County.  The program has received countless donations from persons who have requested that their jury service fees be given to the crime stoppers program.  "It is very much appreciated and helps!", Kouba added.

 

News media outlets such as KMIL 1330 AM in Cameron, KRXT 98.5 FM in Rockdale, The Rockdale Reporter, The Cameron Herald, Temple Daily Telegram and the Thorndale Champion have been partners in our program since it was formed.  They have been an invaluable outlet to get the information out to the public and have never requested a dollar for their commitment to make this program be a success.  They must be commended said Deputy Kouba.

 

In 1998, the program began operating a "haunted house" fundraiser at the old YOE house in Cameron and then later purchasing the old "Falstaff Beer" warehouse located at 301 E. 1st Street in Cameron.  The "Warehouse of Horrors" Halloween Fundraiser is in it's 8th year and draws hundreds of kids and adults from all around.  The event has received support from countless repeat volunteers who have come out each year to scare, guide and make this popular fundraiser a huge success.  In addition, it provides two nights of family fun for all ages. 

 

The fundraiser has received many praises over the years as they come screaming out of the back side!  Volunteers to the fundraiser which have aided in it's success have been the numerous citizens, schoolteachers, firemen and police and even jail inmates and probationers who have performed community service hours before and after the event.  The event has raised several thousand dollars each year for the program said longtime President Lana McDermott.  "But a lot of hours have gone into making it what it is".  "A whole lot of hours!” McDermott was elected president of the organization in 1999 and has serves until October 2, 2006 when Cameron resident John Fisk takes over the reigns. 

 

Milam County Crime Stoppers has a website located at www.milamcrimestoppers.com and has the ability for persons to submit completely anonymous tips over the web in a secure manner.  WebTipsters are given code numbers and passwords where they can submit their information on criminal offenses securely and check the status on their cases.  Donations of any amount can be made to the program through PayPal via the website.

 

Milam County Crime Stoppers has received continuing generous financial support over the years from the Lester & Beatrice Williams Foundation, the Cameron Arts & Service League, attorney Mark Humble of Cameron, Modern Renovations of Thorndale, TLAB Internet, John Miller Construction of Cameron, First National Bank of Milam County, Citizens National Bank, Circle S BBQ, Cameron Tire Store, Signs Unlimited in Rockdale; Jack Hilliard Distributing of Temple, the Cameron Chamber of Commerce, the Rockdale Rotary Club, and many other citizens and businesses.  We are very grateful for the support everyone has given through the years.

 

Milam County Crime Stoppers, Inc. will continue to operate with its partners to help keep Milam County's streets, schools and citizens safe and aid law enforcement agencies with tips to clear cases who strive to protect the public they serve.  Persons with information on unsolved criminal offenses or narcotics can call the TIPS line at 1-888-697-TIPS.  If the information leads to the arrest and charges filed on the persons responsible for the offense, a cash reward of up to $1,000.00 will be paid. 

 

 The Board of Directors offer their sincere appreciation and thanks to the citizens of Milam County for the past ten years and pledge to offer many more years of service to the cities and county.  McDermott and Kouba also offer thanks to police chiefs Thomas Harris, Leonard Doskocil and Fred Keefer and to Sheriff Charlie West for their support of the Crime Stoppers program. If you would like to find out more about Milam County Crime Stoppers or how you can make a donation of any amount, call 1-888-697-TIPS or go to their website at www.milamcrimestoppers.com .  Donations of support can be mailed to P.O. Box 1122, Cameron, Texas 76520.