Crimestoppers of Oconee County, Inc. Holds Luncheon to Celebrate Program’s 30th Anniversary

(From L - R: Salem Police Chief Scott Peterson, Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw, Former Oconee County Sheriff Earl Holcombe, Oconee State Senator and President of the S.C. State Senate Thomas Alexander, West Union Police Chief Ben Hailey and Westminster Police Chief Fred Miller)

(Walhalla, SC)———————————On May 16th of this year, Crimestoppers of Oconee County, Inc. held a luncheon to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the program’s existence in Oconee County.

The luncheon was held at the Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative Community Room, which is located on the Highway 123 by-pass near Westminster.  The current coordinator of the Oconee County Crimestoppers program, Helen Westmoreland, as well as the two former coordinators, Corporal Jimmy Watt and Former Chief Deputy Terry Wilson, was in attendance at the luncheon, along with current and former board members. 

Representatives from law enforcement agencies in Oconee County and representatives from other Crimestopper programs around the state also were in attendance.

Coordinator Westmoreland shared a presentation with those in attendance, which focused on information regarding the inception of the Oconee County program and statistics in regards to number of tips received, arrests made due to tips received, the number of cases cleared, the amount of reward money approved, as well as the dollar amount in relation to property recovered and drugs seized as a result of tips that led to arrests.   

Since the inception of the Oconee County Crimestoppers program in 1995, approximately 3,226 tips have been submitted, which has led to 184 arrests and 384 cases cleared.  Approximately $56,500 dollars in reward money has been approved since 1995, along with $148,850 dollars in property recovered and $94,290 dollars in narcotics seized as a result of tips that led to arrests.

From January 1st to May 16th of this year, approximately 128 tips have been received, which has resulted in 22 arrests and the clearing of 26 cases.  During that time period this year, approximately $1,850 dollars in award money has been approved.

“During our celebration luncheon, we were honored to have State Senate President Thomas Alexander in attendance and we were able to present Senator Alexander with a handmade United States flag challenge coin holder to place in his office in Columbia,” according to Coordinator Westmoreland.  “Senator Alexander has been a great supporter of law enforcement and Crimestopper programs throughout the state of South Carolina for many years and we are grateful for his support.  The challenge coin holder was made by Captain Tommy Crompton of the Sheriff’s Office.”

Crimestoppers of Oconee County, Inc. is a 501(c)3 organization whose goal and mission is to assist all law enforcement agencies that serve in Oconee County with tips and information that help those agencies solve crimes and hold those who commit crimes accountable for their actions.