NEMS Crimestoppers Recognized with State Awards

BILOXI, Miss- (PRESS RELEASE)The Division of Crime Stoppers of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and the Crime Stoppers Advisory Council conducted their annual training conference on 5-8 February 2013 in Biloxi, MS. This training was attended by twelve (12) members of the Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi Board of Directors along with Coordinator Captain Allan Gilbert of the Tupelo Police Department and Co-coordinator Officer Ken Shackelford of the Prentiss County Sheriff’s Department. At the annual awards breakfast, Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi Inc received three (3) state wide awards.

First, Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi Inc was named the “Top Mississippi Crime Stoppers Program of the Year”. Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi Inc covers the nine (9) counties of Alcorn, Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo, and Union. Crime Stoppers works with the community, the media, and law enforcement to catch criminals. Members of the community may call in tips to 1-800-773-TIPS and be guaranteed to remain anonymous for providing their information and if their tip results in the arrest of a fugitive, they could receive a cash award of up to $1,000.00. This outstanding Crime Stoppers Program also won this award in 2009. Pictured below are members of the Board of Directors receiving the award from Trish Harbour, Director of the Division of Crime Stoppers for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.

Second, Captain Allan Gilbert of the Tupelo Police Department who is Coordinator for Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi Inc. received the award as “Law Enforcement Coordinator of the Year”. Captain Gilbert has been Coordinator since April 18, 2011. During this period of time he has ‘hit the ground running” and did not miss a beat to continue to maintain the program to the high standards his Board of Directors requires. He became familiar with all of the requirements of the Coordinator, to include the software program used and presented an accurate report for his first meeting in April, 2011. Captain Gilbert, although assigned only part-time with Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi is totally enthusiastic and dedicated to the program and continues to cause the program to prosper and grow. Captain Gilbert is pictured below receiving his award from Trish Harbour, Director of the Division of Crime Stoppers for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.

Third, Board Member and Treasurer William R. (Bill) Allen, Jr. was named “Mississippi Crime Stoppers Local Program Board Member of the Year”. Nationwide, all Crime Stopper Program Board of Director Members are volunteers who give of their time and efforts to support their particular program. Mr. Allen had been a member of the Board of Directors for Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi Inc for over ten (10) years and has served as Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Treasurer of the Organization during this time. Mr. Allen is a two time recipient of the Board Member of the Year Award for Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi. Pictured below is Mr. Allen receiving his award from Trish Harbour, Director of the Division of Crime Stoppers of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.