Wichita Falls police encourage students to report crime. from MWSU Campus Watch on Vimeo.
Burglary, narcotics, homicides and assault. these are types of felony crime the non-profit organization, Crime Stoppers is aiming towards minimizing in the Wichita Falls community, public schools, and MSU’s campus.
Brian Bohn, a Wichita Falls police officer said, “MSU is a big campus and with all of the campus shootings going on, we want to make sure MSU is a safe campus for all students.”
Since 1981, Crime stoppers have continued to influence the community to report criminal activity to police authorities. This fall, the Wichita Falls Crime Stoppers is teaming up with students to help “tip-off” the police and to get tips that will lead to the arrest of felony crime offenders. Members of the Crime Stoppers group are promoting the tip hotline and text-messaging system by encouraging others to provide the police with criminal information. According to the crime statistics, there were more than 70 burglary offenses on campus from 2010 to 2012.
“I’ve always wanted to do the right thing. I felt like it was my chance to promote that people should speak up and try to do something about it,” Cameron Moore, a senior in criminal justice, said.
When a student gives university police information that links to the arrest of a felony on campus, he or she can receive up to $500. But if student or community member informs the police of a crime off campus, the reward can range as high as $1,000. All callers can remain anonymous.
“We have paid out almost a million dollars in rewards for crimes,” Bohn said.
The student organization is made up of nine members, and the group plans a variety of fundraisers throughout the school year. Moore says all of the money raised is put in a fund for the rewards distributed to students on campus.
“We did one at the football game and raised $308. We passed around jugs to get some money, and it was very successful,” Moore said.
Students who know about a crime can anonymously text their tips to CRIMES (274-637) using WFCRIME in the text message. Or use this form.
