Pubdate: Thu, 13 Mar 2003 Source: West Hawaii Today (HI) Copyright: 2003 West Hawaii Today Contact: http://westhawaiitoday.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/644 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Note: To read more about the "ice epidemic" in Hawaii, go to http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Hawaii . IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT-CRIME STOPPERS INTERNATIONAL We have read with interest the statement from the Police Department concurring a new tips hot line for reporting information regarding the severe "ice" (methamphetamine) problem in the County of Hawaii. The police coordinator assigned to the program will submit a reward request form designed by West Hawaii Crime Stoppers, and a detailed report of the case together with his or her recommendation to the directors who will study and decide on the reward figure to be awarded. We would like to bring to the attention of the public that Crime Stoppers programs wherever located in the world are not police department programs. They are civilian, not for profit organizations and all who participate are volunteers; West Hawaii Crime Stoppers is no different. The only police person in the program is the coordinator allocated by the department, who is not a member of the board and has no vote. To refresh readers' memories, an informant who has knowledge of a crime should call the tips line (which in West Hawaii is 329-8181). The telephone belongs completely to our program, we pay for the line, however it is located in the Kona Police Department, The information is taken by a trained and seasoned detective and will be investigated. At the same time the caller who is told at the outset not to give his or her name will be given a code number. No single tip solves a crime and it is necessary for detectives to investigate further, and if an arrest is made, then the informant made the call is eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. The police coordinator assigned to the Crime Stoppers program will submit a reward request form with his or her recommendation designed by West Hawaii Crime Stoppers board, and a detailed report of the case to the directors who will study and decide on the figure to be awarded. All reports, reward form requests connected with a Crime Stoppers case remain the property of West Hawaii Crime Stoppers. This coupled with the fact the phone and line are paid for by ourselves ensures the information does not become a matter of public record. Let me stress that no person knows the name of the informant and this is one of the major successes of the crime stoppers program worldwide. The board of directors are responsible for raising the necessary funds to maintain the program and ensure that funds are available to pay the rewards and administration fees. West Hawaii Crime Stoppers is one of the most active in the state and is considered by Crime Stoppers International as one of the best programs worldwide. For those who wish to know more please check our web site at www.whcrimestoppers.com. Since we know little of the planned "ice" hot line, it is difficult for us to comment. However, for it to be completely successful we believe it must ensure the anonymity of the caller. If rewards are to be paid, what are the guidelines for amount of reward and other requirements? We receive many calls regarding narcotics on the Crime Stoppers tips line and have paid out several rewards for successful cases solved, and do not see why a second line is required, since this will probably confuse the public. However anything which helps eradicate the ice problem is a major step forward in our book. During the complete process of a case at no time is any person aware of the identity of the informant and that is essential. Once an informant is revealed the case is no longer considered as eligible for a reward. It is our belief that to be successful in the fight against drugs that an active program be implemented which starts in the schools, and is supported by all local organizations, service clubs and the community. Our Junior Miss Crime Stoppers-Hawaii 2003 is a seventh grade student at Hualalai Academy, very articulate and available to speak at schools. The Student Crime Stoppers programs numbering over 4,000 worldwide and run completely by the students is most successful. There are several in Hawaii and in fact West Hawaii Crime Stoppers had the first program in the state at Konawaena High School. Five students from that school attended the first international student conference in Kelowna British Columbia, in 1997. However, when the principal changed, the program was stopped since the replacement principal decided that it was not necessary. We urge readers if they have knowledge of any crime, and particularly those connected with drugs, to call 329-8181, and report same. This will ensure you will remain anonymous with no fear of retribution. We are pleased the new police administration whom we back one hundred percent is taking positive steps in this uphill battle and will support them completely. In any Crime Stoppers program the media play an essential role and we would like to see your newspaper publish on a weekly basis numbers to call for crime stoppers on both sides of the island and others related to the war on ice. As the community voice it is essential that people know where to call. We find it somewhat ironic the new telephone directory distributed free does not show West Hawaii Crime Stoppers listed but shows a for-profit tips line number We-Tips. Our major project at the moment regards the use of marked police cars as opposed to subsidized vehicles since we believe one of the major problems in the county is police visibility and the lack of marked vehicles. Please do not hesitate to call me if there are further questions at 322-9969. Viewpoint articles represent the views of individuals in our community and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the newspaper. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk