Crime Stoppers works in fight against crime

Crime Stoppers works in fight against crime

BRADFORD COUNTY, FL - The first payment for a tip that led to an arrest of a fugitive was made Thursday by the Columbia County Crime Stoppers organization.

The payment of $195 was the first for the new organization that was established about six months ago.

Crime Stoppers is a recognized crime-fighting organization that has county or regional chapters and gives money to people who provide information that leads to the arrests of wanted individuals. The tipster can remain anonymous throughout the entire process.

"Crime Stoppers is a proven program that works in our continued fight against crime," said Sgt. David Greene, the program director. "We have worked hard to get our chapter up and running and now we have our first payment. That is a good feeling."

The tip was called into a hotline that relayed the information about a man wanted for violating his probation on original charges of possession of a controlled substance. Deputies arrested 23-year-old Willis Joshua Jackson on September 18. Further investigation revealed Jackson was also wanted on a Suwannee County warrant.

Crime Stoppers is based on the theory that there is always someone besides the criminal who know about a crime, regardless of how serious or violent that crime may be. Law enforcement will tell you it is extremely common for criminals to brag to their friends and family about what laws they have broken.

Crime Stoppers has a board of directors and while the telephone is housed at the Sheriff’s Office, it is a separate and individual corporation. Sheriff’s Office Sgt. David Greene is the chairman for this inaugural year.

If you have information that could lead to the arrest of a wanted person, you are encouraged to call the hotline at 386-754-7099. You will remain anonymous and you may be eligible for a case reward.