Law enforcement officers are on the beat 24 hours a day, every day of the year, but they simply can’t be everywhere all the time. They need help from citizens willing and able to let them know where criminals might be and where suspicious activity is going on.

Webster County Crime Stoppers helps to make that communication possible.

Since 2001, it has paid out about $175,000 in rewards to citizens whose tips have led to the arrest of some 1,700 wanted suspects.

Webster County Crime Stoppers has actually been helping to put away the bad guys since 1982.

”It’s just been terrific to witness the number of great citizens that have had the backbone, the courage to say ‘Hey, I have some information,” John Bruner, one of the original board members of Webster County Crime Stoppers, recently told The Messenger.

To keep the successes coming, Bruner and his fellow members of the board are looking for more members and donations for Webster County Crime Stoppers.

A standard membership in the group costs $100. A Top Gun membership costs $500 and comes with a plaque. All that money is used to provide rewards for information.

Webster County Crime Stoppers is a private organization with no paid staffers that has a remarkable record of helping bring criminals to justice in our community. It is worthy of everyone’s support.

We encourage those who can to join the group by making a donation.

We also encourage people to consider volunteering as a board member for Webster County Crime Stoppers.

Anyone interested in joining the group is urged to call Terry Cook, its vice president, at (515) 570-6156.