Beech Tree News Network

The Morgantown Butler County Chamber of Commerce held their monthly luncheon on Thursday at the Butler County Extension Office.

Chamber President James Runion announced the dates of the Green River Catfish Festival, July 2-5, with fireworks on Friday, July 4th. He also introduced Chad Johnson as the newest board member due to the resignation of Richie Ellis.  Ronnie Ward, Bowling Green Police Department Public Relations Officer/Crime Stoppers was the guest speaker. 
According to Ward Crime Stoppers is a program geared toward public involvement in the fight against crime. It provides an avenue which permits and encourages citizens to contribute to the safety of their community. Crime Stoppers is designed to achieve citizen interest and involvement utilizing two methods:
  (1)  The establishment of a reward system which pays for information leading to the arrest and indictment of anyone involved in serious crimes and (2)the dramatic re-enactment of an unsolved "Crime of the Week" on television, radio and print media.

“Since the establishment of Crime Stoppers in Bowling Green 726 people have been arrested resulting in 1600 charges. A total of 10,800 awards have been given for information equaling $113,000, and over $600,000 in stolen property has been recovered.  Two murders have been solved by Crime Stoppers,” said Ward.
All calls are answered in Canada and informants are given an I.D. number.  They are paid cash at a local bank at the drive-thru. 
“We do not identify the caller in anyway, we just want the information, often people do not want the reward, they just want to do the right thing,” said Ward.
Crime Stoppers is totally funded through donations and fund raisers.

Luncheon sponsors included: Butler County Attorney Richard J. Deye, Morgantown Utilities, Warren RECC, Hospice of Southern Kentucky, Morgantown Community Church, Smith Funeral Home, and Donnie Drake’s Contracting.  The meal was catered by Green River Caterers.