Local Program Continues to Help Nab Criminals

Tulsa's Crimestoppers program celebrates 21 years of service this year. Since its inception, some of the biggest crimes that occurred in northeastern Oklahoma were solved through anonymous tips from

Tuesday, February 1st 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa's Crimestoppers program celebrates 21 years of service this year. Since its inception, some of the biggest crimes that occurred in northeastern Oklahoma were solved through anonymous tips from the 5-9-6-C-O-P-S telephone number.

When thieves took thousands of dollars worth of office equipment from Express Personnel Services, then set fire to the building to cover it up, a Crimestoppersâ€™ tip solved the case. When detectives wanted to find out what individual fired a pistol at a couple of people in a south Tulsa restaurant parking lot, a Crimestoppersâ€™ tip provided the information on the suspect. And when people were terrified of a suspect who was breaking into mid-town Tulsa homes, attacking and robbing the owners, a Crimestoppers tip not only told police who the perpatrator was, but where he was located, too. "We don't solve every single crime, but we do solve a major one that wouldn't have been solved," said Tulsa Police Department spokesman officer Lucky Lamons.

In fact, citizens called the Crimestoppersâ€™ tip line nearly 4,000 times last year and provided 1,100 tips. Those tips enabled police to arrest 103 people, clear 180 felony cases and recover nearly $170,000 in stolen property and drugs. Callers with helpful information were paid a total of $10,500 in cash. "I would say less than 30 per cent of them want the money,â€ Lamons explained. â€œThey just want to help."

The Citizens Crime Commission, a non-profit organization, pays the rewards to the tipsters. The commission is also sponsors the yearly â€œNational Night Outâ€ event which gives citizens the opportunity to meet police officers and find out more about the sophisticated equipment police use every day.

It is Lamons responsibility to answer the calls on the tip line and then give the information to detectives and beat cops. A-T and T Wireless donates the telephone to the program without charge.