THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, September 26, 1995 TAG: 9509260293
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
More than 1,000 Crime Stoppers International delegates are scheduled to begin a weeklong conference today to share tactics that encourage citizens to call police anonymously with information on crooks.
About 100,000 convictions and $3 billion worth of drugs and stolen property have been recovered with the program's assistance over the past several decades, officials said.
Since 1982, more than 4,000 Virginia Beach arrests were attributed to Crime Solvers tips, and about $12 million in property and drugs was confiscated, police said.
Virginia Beach's Crime Solvers program and the Crime Line organizations of Hampton Roads are members of the international group. Civilian and police delegates representing 51 states and Canadian provinces, Australia and England are in town for the conference.
``It is for training and sharing ideas,'' Virginia Beach Detective Michael Derwent said. ``The premise is the same all over, but there are different things that are done.''
The premise is to reward anonymous callers with cash. That cash comes from donations and fund-raising, Derwent said. Tax money is not used.
Delegates will learn to film television re-enactments, publicize cases through the media, start programs in schools, and involve citizens in crime-tip programs.
``We've got some super training planned and some very unusual events,'' said Bud Warren, conference chairman. ``And we are hoping for some distinguished visitors.''
President Clinton, Vice President Al Gore and Attorney General Janet Reno have been invited, although conference organizers said none has confirmed an appearance.
Derwent said the city's Crime Solvers organization began lobbying more than two years ago to host the 16th annual conference at the Cavalier Hotel. The previous conference was held in Hawaii; the 1996 conference is scheduled for Mobile, Ala.
The Virginia Beach conference is scheduled to end Saturday.
KEYWORDS: CONVENTION by CNB