HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE POLICE CHIEF
PHONE: 961-2244
JANUARY 16, 2002
MEDIA RELEASE
Police Chief James S. Correa today (January 16, 2002) commended the two local Crime Stoppers organizations for their invaluable help in combating crime on the Big Island.
“Because of Crime Stoppers, we have been able to solve many cases that would otherwise have remained unsolved,” Correa said.
“These two community groups have helped contribute to the decline of Part I, or serious, crimes and the increase in number of cases solved for all crimes over the past half-decade or so.”
Hawaii County has two Crime Stoppers organizations — Hilo Crime Stoppers, Inc., and West Hawaii Crime Stoppers, Inc.
Noting that January 2002 has been declared as National Crime Stoppers Month, Correa praised the two groups for their efforts to fight crime.
Since their inception in 1981, the two Crime Stoppers organizations have received more than 3,200 calls to report crimes. As a result, more than 1,510 crimes have been solved, and more than $12.5 million in narcotics have been seized.
“I look forward to continued close cooperation between the Hawaii County Police Department and the Hilo and West Hawaii Crime Stoppers organizations,” Chief Correa said.
Taking note of Crime Stoppers Month nationally, President Bush said in a letter to Crimes Stoppers organizations nationwide: “In an effort to create safer communities, programs like Crime Stoppers have been instrumental in bringing businesses, citizen, and law enforcement agencies together in the fight against crime.”
The president continued, “Today, there are more than 1,000 Crime Stoppers programs in the United States. Since its founding in 1976, Crime Stoppers has helped solve over 800,000 major crimes nationwide. By combining media publicity, cash rewards, and the promise of anonymity, Crime Stoppers has created a formula that encourages Americans to get involved to help reduce crime.”
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