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Director's Download..... |
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Everything has to do with exposure. To encourage more people to call our tip line so we can receive more crime-solving tips, we need to promote the program. To get the funding we need to operate, we need to communicate our value. To get people to remember us, to think of us, to appreciate us, we must be out in the community and boast about our successes.
Sometimes, that's easier said than done. With one employee and an overstretched volunteer board of directors, it's been difficult to be at the public functions and events we'd like to attend. And although we have some very cool marketing ideas, implementation is slow because we just don't have the help we need to launch some of our initiatives. Then I came across this quote:
"The world is hugged by the
faithful arms of volunteers."
And I thought perhaps there would be some people out there who might be interested in helping us out. I always knew that "a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world" and make a huge difference in the effectiveness of the Silent Observer Program. So for the first time in my 14 years with Silent Observer, the board and I would like to develop a volunteer base. We are looking for volunteers to represent Silent Observer at large community events, to work with us on planning initiatives and seeing them through, and to help us solicit donations and prizes for raffles and silent auctions.
I know that some schools require students to volunteer and Silent Observer would love to utilize these students by drawing on their expertise of social media.
If you are at all interested in volunteering, please shoot me an email and I will send you an application. Please know, that since Silent Observer has a lot to do with law and order we will have do a background check on anyone applying to be a volunteer. I hope you understand. Silent Observer is truly thankful for the friendship and support you have shown us throughout the year. Our heartfelt wishes to you and your family for a wonderful holiday season.
Chris Cameron |
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Busted! |
Silent Observer is a busy program - we receive 150 tips or more per month from people wanting to keep their community a safer place to live. In fact when a crime is highlighted on the news, our tip line lights up. Criminals should beware that if they are unfortunate enough to get caught in the act on a surveillance camera, chances are many people will recognize them and call us. Here are three cases in which photos of alleged suspects were shown on the news and tips came in naming them:
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A person had just exited a Rapid bus in Gaines Township when he was punched repeatedly in the head and his backpack was stolen. Inside the backpack was the victim's Bible along with other valuables. God must have had His hand in this because Silent Observer received a call which led to the perpetrators in this case. Now that's Divine Justice!
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A woman used a stolen driver's license and credit card to withdraw over $9,000 in cash from the victim's checking account at a Chase Bank. Her picture was shown on TV and we received a tip identifying her.
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Three men were involved in a home burglary and two car larcenies and used one of the victim's credit cards to purchase several hundred dollars worth of food and clothing at a Meijer store shortly after the thefts. Thanks to an alert tipster who saw their picture on the news, these three will face the consequences of their actions.
Silent Observer gets a good share of tips that lead police to fugitives wanted for various crimes. The fugitives located since the last TipTalk include:
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A man was wanted for Criminal Sexual Conduct of a child. He ran from police but a concerned citizen told us he was working for a traveling circus in Arizona. Thanks to that tipster, the suspect won't be working around children for a good long time.
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Another tip was received that assisted police in locating a man wanted for Criminal Sexual Conduct 3rd degree, a Felony Probation Violation and a Bench Warrant for Contempt of Court.
Many more crime solving tips came in that helped police solve:
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The 2006 homicide of Linzey Reeves
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Three home invasions
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An armed robbery of a Subway store
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A huge marijuana grow operation
It's not right to remain silent. That's why Silent Observer is an important part of this community. Enabling citizens to report information about crime safely and confidentially has helped keep our community a wonderful place to live, work and play. |
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How About $1 For Every Year?
Last December, Silent Observer kicked off a campaign asking community members to consider donating $36 to Silent Observer as a way of acknowledging our 36 year history of removing criminals from our streets. Our goal was to receive 1,000 donations which would really help us to maintain and grow the important programs we offer the community. We fell short of our goal but still felt encouraged and thankful for the $3,000 in donations we received from this campaign.
One year later, Silent Observer is now 37 years old and we would like to see if we can beat last year's record. The best way to do this is with an email campaign. Would you consider sending this edition of Tip Talk to some of your friends and people in your business network who may be interested in supporting Silent Observer? All you have to do is click here to forward this newsletter to your contacts.The more people we can reach the better. Thanks in advance for your consideration.
We hear on the radio and tv the reminders to shop local. That's a great thing to do given the current state of our ecomony. But think about going one step further and donate locally as well. Think about supporting the charities in your community that support your community's concerns and where all of the money you donate stays right here.
Membership information can be found at
www.silentobserver.org. You may donate on our secure site by using your credit card or you can print out the donation form and mail it in. Silent Observer's address is: PO Box 230321, Grand Rapids, MI 49523.
We will continue to keep you posted on the progress of this campaign. We are very appreciative of your interest and support of Silent Observer.
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