Livingston County looks to add Crime Stoppers program

Posted on September 9, 2019
Illinois established its own Crime Stoppers Association in 1983. (Photo courtesy illinoiscrimestoppers.org)

 

By Neil Doyle

PONTIAC – Crime Stoppers programs have been around for over 40 years, but one Central Illinois county is in the process of implementing the service.

State’s Attorney Randy Yedinak told WJBC’s Todd Wineburner a Crime Stoppers network is in the works for Livingston County.

Other places in the area with the program, which allows people to report criminal activity anonymously, include McLean, DeWitt, Tazewell, Logan, and Ford counties.

Crime Stoppers started in 1976 in Albuquerque, N.M. after a man was fatally shot while working at a gas station.  A detective working the case told local media if any tips lead to an arrest there would be a $1,000 reward.  Three days later, an anonymous caller was able to describe the suspects vehicle leaving the scene.

Yedinak said in today’s society, many people are afraid to get involved if they see a crime.

“One of the things that’s wonderful about Crime Stoppers is its all anonymous.  An individual can call in, they don’t have to give their name, but they are given a code and if their tip leads to an arrest they could receive a monetary award,” Yedinak said.

Yedinak added the program would run through a phone line that connects to the Vermilion Valley ETSB.  He said the program is still in the initial stages.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…