Cleveland County Crime Stoppers are having a great year so far, and if all continues as is, they look forward to things getting even better, according to representatives of the organization. Also, having solid, local support certainly doesn't hurt anything either.

To that end, and thanks to a couple of fundraisers and contributions, they can continue with the great work they do, throughout the year.

Recently, Mr. Jeff Yates said they were presented with a check for $1,500 from the Shelby Walmart Distribution Center, money he noted went to their TIPS payout fund, which, as the name implies, pays out, on a sliding scale manner.

"Our mission with Crime Stoppers," he said, "is all predicated on which crimes are happening in the county, and if the tips received 'play out,' or assist in the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator of said crime, then payment is based on how the information received factors into the investigation. We pay out up to $1,000,"

Yates noted Crime Stoppers essentially "faded away" in early 2017, and the group's members now wanted to see about getting the system revived.

"Thankfully," said Yates, "in early 2023 were able to do so." They have a site on the Internet at p3tips.com, and their email is stoppers.c@yahoo.com, he said.

"Our tip line phone number is (704) 481-8477," he said, adding, "But for the most information you can go to our Facebook page, or follow us on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter)." The group also has a QR code that can be scanned that will connect anyone right away with the organization, and that, Yates noted, is also to be found on the Cleveland County Sheriff's web site.

Group Chairman, Yates, a retired law enforcement officer from Iowa, said of the organization, "We have the complete support from our county law enforcement agencies - Cleveland County Sheriff's Office, Shelby Police Department, Kings Mountain Police Department, and Boiling Springs Police Department. Representatives of our law enforcement regularly attend our Board Meetings."

A person needing any information, from how to become a Board member, to how to make a donation may email them at stoppers.c@yahoo.com.

"Donations are accepted by searching for Cleveland County Crime Stoppers Inc., in the Charities section on Venmo and PayPal. Checks may be sent to Cleveland County Crime Stoppers Inc, P.O. Box 1613, Shelby, NC, 28151. Donations may also be made direct from our Facebook page," he said.

At the recent check presentation, Yates noted that Frank, Dezio and Justin Sarff are office persons with Walmart's Distribution Center. Yates noted he is the Crime Stoppers Chairman, and Mr. Cerizza is the GM of Walmart Distribution Center.

"Scott Howell is Vice-Chairman, and Sgt. Benson is our police coordinator for Crime Stoppers," he said.

Another Crime Stoppers/Walmart Distribution Center fundraiser in the works is their Super Bowl Raffle to Fight Crime. The drawing for the winner of that raffle will be held on Feb. 3, 2024, at 11 a.m., on Crime Stoppers Facebook Live.

Tickets for that can be gotten from any CS Board member, said Yates, or can be purchased ($10 for one, or $20 for three) at Olivers Hardware and Garden Center at 3712 Fallston Rd. (between Shelby and Fallston), or at various locations in Shelby (three locations), Kings Mountain (two locations) and Boiling Springs (Pro Hardware and Supply). Yates noted you can also pay via Venmo or PayPal, by searching Cleveland County Crime Stoppers, Inc., in "charities."

Yates continued, "The main thrust of the program is the TIPS payoff line, which is funded entirely through donations. A person can go onto Facebook and donate funds via the feature that is on that site and remain anonymous. Just look for the Crime Stoppers logo."

Yates noted the latest stats since March of 2023: 85 anonymous tips received, resulting in seven (7) arrests, $40,000 in illegal drugs seized, and one stolen gun recovered.

All CS personnel, he said, were trained by the NC Crime Stoppers Board.

Yates said more information can be found at: Crimestoppers - Cleveland County Sheriff's Office (sheriffclevelandcounty.com), or by emailing them at stoppers.c@yahoo.com.