Officials with Nacogdoches Crime Stoppers say that 2009 was one of the program`s most productive years in recent memory after the program recorded more than double the number of tips over the previous year.
In 2008, the local chapter of Crime Stoppers received 148 tips compared to 333 tips for all of 2009.
"We just want the citizens of Nacogdoches to know that they are making a difference and are effectively reducing crime in our area by utilizing the Crime Stoppers program," said Nacogodches Crime Stoppers board Chairman Cory Beasley. "But another big part involves law enforcement officers who receive those tips from the public and then have to go out on the streets and work them. Overall, I think in 2009, we did a much better job of improving all aspects of Crime Stoppers."
Beasley said that he attributes the increased level of participation to a stepped up marketing campaign and better use of available media outlets.
"Back in May, we ran a `Nacogdoches; Most Wanted` insert in `The Daily Sentinel,` and we got a lot of response and a lot of calls from that," Beasley said. "It was the first time we`d ever done that here in town, and we`re probably going to do it again this May because it was so successful."
Of the 333 tips received last year, 75 were a direct result of the `most wanted` publication featured in the newspaper he said.
In addition to the Crime Stoppers hotline and the Internet tip service on their Web site, another new way of catching criminals was introduced last year allowing people to text message a tip from their cell phone.
According to Nacogdoches 2009 statistics, 38 arrests were made, including 11 fugitives, resulting in 40 individual charges and 61 criminal cases being solved. A total of 24 rewards, amounting to almost $9,000 dollars, were given to tipsters, and over $23,000 in property and illegal drugs were recovered as a result of the public`s information. Three weapons were also recovered through Crime Stopper tips.
Crime Stoppers was the brainchild of a young Albuquerque detective who was concerned by the number of unsolved cases he and fellow detectives were working, and was particularly frustrated that all possible leads had been exhausted regarding the murder of a young college student, according to information found at www.crimestopusa.com/. The detective felt information that would solve the crime was available from someone other than the criminal. That idea led to the major factors that needed to be addressed so individuals would come forward,.
Members of the local community, media and law enforcement, came together in partnership to begin the effort to provide crime-solving assistance to law enforcement, and the first Crime Stoppers program began on Sept. 8, 1976.
January is observed nationally and statewide as Crime Stoppers Month. Earlier this month, Gov. Rick Perry proclaimed January as Crime Stoppers Month in Texas.
"By encouraging citizens to help reduce crime by combining media awareness, monetary rewards and anonymity for informants, Crime Stoppers has created an effective method for solving crimes and helping citizens take back control over their neighborhoods," Perry said in a story posted on www.myfoxhouston.com/.
The Nacogdoches Crime Stoppers Hotline is 9360560-INFO (4636) and their Web site is NCSTips.com. Tips can be sent via text message by sending NCSTIPS and the message to CRIMES (274637). As always, all tipsters can remain anonymous and are eligible to receive a cash reward if the information given leads to an arrest or grand jury indictment of a felony offender.
Crime Stoppers relies on volunteer directors and tax deductible contributions from the public in order to operate the administration of the program. Other proceeds come by way of fines issued through the Nacogdoches Adult Probation Department.
Program coordinator is Nacogdoches Police Sgt. Greg Sowell. | 
