CRIME STOPPERS

Successfully Turning Criminals Into Jailbirds

Today's Chronicle contains a pre-addressed envelope from Crime Stoppers of
Houston Inc. seeking increased public support for the highly successful
organization through membership contributions.

This annual October funding appeal is sponsored by the Chronicle as part of
its longtime commitment to the Crime Stoppers coalition composed of law
enforcement agencies, media, corporate sponsors and -- most important -- the
public.

In the fall of 1980, the Exchange Club of Houston promoted an idea that
seemed strange to a lot of people. Club members supported the creation of
something called Crime Stoppers, a nonprofit organization that would pay
rewards to informants whose tips resulted in solving felony crimes.

With limited funding coupled with a wait-and-see attitude by Houstonians,
Crime Stoppers still managed to become a reality in January 1981.

Soon thereafter, wrongdoers started feeling the sting of the aggressive
co-op program. Criminals were becoming jailbirds, and skeptics were becoming
believers. Crime Stoppers worked!

Now in its 18th year and with approximately 19,270 criminal cases cleared as
the result of reward payments surpassing $3.3 million, Crime Stoppers is
still working.

Since 1983 the local program has been the most productive individual Crime
Stoppers chapter in America. For this pattern of success to continue, Crime
Stoppers needs full community support.

So, please locate the special envelope in today's paper and join the Crime
Stoppers team.