|
January 15, 2004
NEW RELEASE
Crime Stoppers will Target Unsolved
Cases
By CHAD HEMENWAY
Somerset Reporter Staff Writer
SOMERVILLE, NJ - Law enforcement agencies
in Somerset County have a new ally.
Volunteers from the community have formed a nonprofit
corporation, Crime Stoppers of Somerset County.
Douglas W. Kimmelman, managing
director of Goldman, Sachs & Co. of Bernardsville,
was introduced by Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne
J. Forrest as the group's chairman Tuesday during
an afternoon press conference.
"I believe this is the most significant private
effort ever put together," Kimmelman said.
The organization completes a powerful coalition among
the community, media and law enforcement. Crime Stoppers
will choose unsolved cases based on a number of guidelines,
set a reward accordingly and publicize the crime and
reward amount in hopes that a resident will contact
authorities anonymously to provide leads.
"I think the public doesn't realize the impact
they can have in providing any information about an
unsolved crime," Forrest said. "I expect
this system to provide local and county authorities
with leads to break open cases and put criminals behind
bars.
"Many, many cases have been
made with the help of information from public sources.
In some instances, authorities just do not have enough
evidence to solve a crime and tips provided, no matter
how irrelevant they seem to the informant, can help
police put the pieces together."
Unsolved cases adopted by Crime Stoppers and the amount
of rewards will be determined at monthly board of director
meetings. The degree of the offense, effect it has
had on the community, disturbing nature, harm caused
and property stolen are among the factors that will
be taken into account, said Kimmelman.
There are more than 1,000 Crime Stoppers programs
around the world which have led to more than 500,000
arrests with a 95 percent conviction rate. Forrest
said the prosecutor's office already has a 96 percent
conviction rate, one of, if not the, highest rate in
the state.
About $6 billion in stolen property and narcotics
have been recovered thanks to the Crime Stoppers.
Anonymous information can be told to the appropriate
authorities by calling the Somerset Prosecutor's Office
TIPS line at (888) 577-8477 (TIPS). Citizens can leave
voicemail messages, page an investigator directly or
contact the county communication system.
In addition, those with Internet access can log into
www.scpo.net and click on links to Crime Stoppers to
type information or email investigators directly.
Anonymity will remain for the informant throughout
the process, said Kimmelman. It will be a top priority
for the organization, even establishing a confidential
code number for persons who come forward. If their
particular information leads to an arrest, the informant
uses that code number to collect the reward and laws
exist that do not require such monies to be taxed.
Kimmelman said the organization
wanted to announce its existence before coming forward
with any particular unsolved case but said, "In
the very near future you'll hear from us."
Forrest said four unsolved homicides are currently
listed on the prosecutor's office website.
Crime Stoppers is 100 percent privately funded. About
$50,000 has already been raised for the program although
it was only incorporated in October, Kimmelman said.
The funds will go toward equipment for law authorities,
training, school education and scholarship programs
as well as rewards -- an aspect of the program that
excites Bernardsville police Chief Kevin Valentine
of the Somerset County Chief's Association.
"We believe that very soon this program will
have a positive impact," he said. "We look
forward to having a new powerful tool at our disposal.
It ends years of frustration but now we have a way
to work with community members."
Copyright 2004 NJ.com. All Rights Reserved
|
