Crime Stoppers

Meets second Thursday
1:30 p.m.
Chamber of Commerce
115 E. Gray St.
Chair: Tonja McCawley
Staff: Katie Merrick

2009-2010 Crime Stoppers Goals

The primary goal of the Crime Stoppers Committee is to enhance the quality of life in Norman by supporting and complementing law enforcement efforts to prevent and reduce crime, and to facilitate apprehensions and arrests.

• Work in a coordinated effort with the following agencies: Norman Police Department, Norman Fire Department, University of Oklahoma Police Department, Cleveland County Sheriff's Office, Cleveland County District Attorney's Office, and EMSSTAT.
• Increase awareness of Crime Stoppers as a proactive crime prevention program and foster participation in Crime Stoppers through advertisement and promotion in as many venues as possible.
• Support the University of Oklahoma Crime Stoppers Program and the effects of the Fire Department Arson Investigation Team in creating community awareness of crime and the role that citizens can play in reducing the threat of criminal activity in the City of Norman.
• Review other state and local programs with similar goals and client bases.  Work to promote coordination and cooperation between them and Crime Stoppers to the maximum extent practical.
• Encourage participation in the Crime Stoppers program by Chamber members and by all law enforcement agencies in the area served.
• Promote and recognize the significant contributions and commitment of area Public Safety Agencies through an annual awards ceremony and banquet.
• Continue sponsorship of the annual John Dutch Memorial Scholarship and Steve Cain Memorial Scholarship programs for dependents of public safety personnel in Cleveland County.

Quick Tips - Identity Theft

Identity Theft is a growing problem and you should take steps to prevent this crime from happening to you.  Below are a few quick tips that will help.

• Carry the minimum ID with you (Driver’s License).
• Do not carry you social security card.
• Carry only the credit cards that you need.
• Never give your personal information to anyone over the phone.
• Use an antivirus and firewall on your computer.
• Use only approved secure sites to make purchases online.
• Monitor your credit at least once a year.

You might consider purchasing an Identity Theft insurance plan. They will monitor your credit and fix any damage caused by ID theft. Repairing the damage caused by ID Theft is a major hassle and very time consuming.

These quick tips have been brought to you by Steve Swinford of Premier Martial Arts- Norman and Norman Crime Stoppers.  Do you have information about a Crime?  Call 366 - STOP, there might be a reward waiting for you.