Crime Stoppers telethon this weekend
By Jack Stephens
Published in News on November 12, 2004 2:02 PM
Get your checkbook out and your telephone ready this weekend to request your favorite local music videos.
The 19th annual Goldsboro-Wayne County Crime Stoppers telethon will be aired from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday on Goldsboro's cable channel 10 (PACC-10 TV).
The telethon raises money to pay cash rewards to confidential callers for information that helps solve crimes. The telethon usually raises more than $35,000.
The event will feature new music videos -- and many old favorites -- performed by county residents on behalf of businesses, churches, schools and other groups. The most-requested video will receive the Crimey Award.
Among the 16 groups performing new videos this year will be the Goldsboro Police Department, An-drews Battery, Carolina Beach Club, Southeastern Medical Oncology, Wayne Montessori School and the Crime Stoppers board.
The list of the videos, new and old, appeared in Thursday's News-Argus.
Viewers may see any video by pledging $25 and calling 273-4901 or by stopping by Parker Advertising at 1907 E. Ash St. during the telethon. Anyone pledging $50 or more will receive a videotape of this year's new videos.
For the first time, donations also may be made at two other sites. The Goldsboro Police Explorer Post 209 will accept donations from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at Wal-Mart and from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at Sam's Club.
The most-requested video will receive the Crimey Award on Sunday night at the end of the telethon.
"Crime Stoppers is designed to make our county a safer and better place to live," said Sgt. Dot Ardes, the agency's law-enforcement coordinator.
"The organization is totally dependent on the private donations of individuals, professional associations, merchants, and civic and social groups. The telethon is a main source of donations and a vital part of the fund-raising drive for Crime Stoppers," she said.
The Crime Stoppers program was launched in November 1982. Since its inception, Executive Director Bill Troutman said, anonymous calls have enabled officers to clear 6,621 cases with arrests, seize more than $7.8 million in drugs and recover more than $1.7 million in stolen property.
More than $387,000 in cash rewards also has been approved by the Crime Stoppers board in Wayne County.
Authorities have cleared 55 murders and 1,168 burglaries and break-ins and captured 1,130 fugitives after the phone calls. Overall, 6,631 cases have been solved and 5,314 people arrested. Sgt. Ardes noted that the conviction rate of suspects charged is 99 percent.
The Wayne County program has earned Southeastern Region and Crime Stoppers International recognition for its success.
More information on the telethon is available from Troutman at 734-8177; the telethon coordinator, Jo Heidenreich, at 735-9440, or Sgt. Ardes at 735-2255.
Anyone with information on any crime in Wayne County was asked to call Crime Stoppers at 735-2255. Callers may remain anonymous, and they may be eligible for cash rewards of up to $1,000, if their information leads to arrests in felony cases.