THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 20, 1994 TAG: 9411180119
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 116 lines
A phone call can make a big difference in Chesapeake's war on crime.
This year alone one call led police to arrest two men in a year-long murder-for-hire case, was able to prevent over $200,000 worth of marijuana from reaching the streets, led to the arrest of a alleged killer in Crestwood, allowed police to arrest a Great Bridge man on drug charges, prevented over $20,000 worth of cocaine from infecting more citizens on the street and helped recover thousands of dollars in cash and property.
This isn't some kind of Dick Tracy technology. It's a program called Crime Line, which has operated in Chesapeake for 12 years this month.
Police prefer to have a witness step forward to give information about a crime and then testify in court, but in the real world that just doesn't always happen, said Tony Torres, Chesapeake Crime Line coordinator and public information officer for the Chesapeake Police Department.
Crime Like works on the premise that an anonymous tip about a crime is better than no help at all.
``Some people don't realize the importance and effectiveness of this program,'' said Torres, a New York City native who spent six years on the Chesapeake police force as a uniformed officer. ``This is one of the most amazing programs I've ever worked for, I'm so happy to be a part of it. Without these Crime Line calls many cases in the city would never have been solved.''
Since its inception 14 years ago, a total of 1,794 cases have been solved in Chesapeake as a direct result of calls to the Crime Line, Torres said. That number includes 672 defendants convicted, $1,552,748 worth of recovered property, more than $3 million worth of recovered narcotics and more than $60,000 worth of confiscated property.
Last month, Chesapeake Crime Line received 23 calls which helped solve 15 cases including two homicides, one armed robbery, seven narcotics cases and four fugitives brought to custody.
For 1994 Torres said tips to Crime Line helped solve several top cases including the following:
The Bedsole murder-for-hire case, a year-long puzzler that resulted in two arrests a couple of weeks ago.
The arrest of a former Great Bridge anesthesiologist in September with more than $20,000 worth of cocaine. The arrest also recovered over $80,000 in cash and property.
The arrest of a suspect on May 15, just minutes after Christopher Hardy was gunned down in the Crestwood section of Chesapeake.
The arrest of two men last spring on their way to Chesapeake with more than $200,000 worth of marijuana.
``We were able to keep $240,000 worth of marijuana off of the streets in Chesapeake, marijuana that may have been used by kids,'' Torres said. ``I think that kind of action makes this city a safer place.''
Torres said Chesapeake Crime Line works because it offers anonymity and cash rewards.
``The great thing about this program is that it guarantees anonymity for the caller,'' Torres said. ``We offer secrecy and confidentiality, which allows many people to come forth and help us solve crimes.''
If a tip results in an arrest, the caller stands to earn up to $1,000 in cash.
``Unfortunately, we do have to compensate these people,'' he said. ``But the money is well spent, it helps make Chesapeake Crime Line a success and helps make this city a safer place. At times when we get tips we wish we had more information, but, believe me, every little bit helps.''
Torres said people are afraid to come forward for many reasons, including fear of retaliation, paranoia and a reluctance to ``get involved.'' So Chesapeake Crime Line, with its guarantee of complete secrecy, works, he said.
The line is manned 24 hours a day by a police officer. The answering officer takes down the information, assigns a secret number to the caller and enters the information in a Chesapeake Crime Line computer bank, which is sent to the city's detective bureau. Calls are not traced or taped.
After receiving the tip, the officer requests the caller to phone back in two weeks to receive a special code name. If the particular bit of information leads to an arrest, then the caller, using the special code name and number, need only come to the drive-in window of a designated bank, give the teller the special information and receive the reward money in cash.
Torres said nothing is recorded or traced, nothing has to be signed and no one is followed or asked to step forward with more information.
``We never know who the caller is,'' Torres said. ``We don't want to know. We just want help in solving crime.''
Chesapeake Crime Line uses no tax money. Rewards and operating money comes from donations from businesses, individuals, fund-raisers, civic leagues and clubs.
``We survive on donations alone,'' Torres said. ``Even my work is donated to Chesapeake Crime Line by the Chesapeake Police Department.''
Currently there are 23 people on Chesapeake Crime Line's board of directors.
``Our board members do a great job,'' he said. ``They all have busy schedules, but they attend our meetings and are constantly working to help raise funds. To be a board member you need to show an interest, be willing to work and be appointed by our committee.''
Torres said he and Crime Line board members regularly attend civic meetings and other functions to solicit help and donations from the community. He said the board is always brainstorming, trying to come up with fund-raising schemes.
``We go out and sell cotton candy,'' Torres said. ``We do anything to raise money to keep the program going.''
Among the fund-raising efforts are a Crime Line telethon in April and donation jars for loose change in area 7-Eleven stores.
``This is not a haphazard thing,'' he said. ``It is well organized and done well. This is for the safety of the city and its citizens.'' ILLUSTRATION: PHONES FIGHT CRIME
If you have any information pertaining to a crime or a fugitive,
call the Chesapeake Crime Line at 487-1234. You are guaranteed
anonymity and could collect up to a $1,000 cash reward.
If you're interested in helping the Chesapeake Crime Line by
volunteering your time or offering a cash donation, contact
Chesapeake Crime Line coordinator Tony Torres at 547-6809.
KEYWORDS: CRIME LINE
by CNB