CRIME STOPPERS BOARD EYES JR. PROGRAMS AT SCHOOLS

ANDERSON - Grimes County Crime Stoppers is hoping to launch Jr. Crime
Stoppers programs at the county's four school districts in time for
the 2004-05 school year.

"All four school districts have the same types of problems - the same
drugs, the same vandalism, the same joyriding, etc.," said John
Hawkins, Grimes County Crime Stoppers board president. "And the kids
know who's holding drugs, who did the vandalism. A Jr. Crime Stoppers
program would be a way to help combat these incidents, and at the same
time, show kids that they bear a responsibility in making sure these
things don't occur here."

Hawkins briefly outlined the proposed Jr. Crime Stoppers program
during the regular Wednesday, March 10, board meeting of Grimes County
Crime Stoppers at the American Legion Hall in Anderson. He said "a
viable program" existed at one time at Anderson-Shiro CISD, but
eventually "fizzled out."

Hawkins said he'd like to see Jr. Crime Stoppers programs instituted
at Navasota ISD, Anderson-Shiro CISD, Iola ISD and Richards ISD at the
start of the 2004-05 school year. He said Crime Stoppers board members
would serve as mentors, with kids being responsible for raising their
own reward money through bake sales, dances, etc.

Hawkins said he recently realized the need for local Jr. Crime
Stoppers programs after an incident three weeks ago at Livingston High
School. Hawkins said a Jr. Crime Stoppers tip made to LHS School
Resource Officer Marty Drake resulted in a homemade bomb being
confiscated at the Polk County school.

And, prior to that, a Jr. Crime Stoppers tip resulted in a nine-page
handwritten letter being found in which a female LHS student detailed
plans to shoot and kill Drake or, if she failed, herself.

"In that incident there, one or more lives were saved - Drake's and/or
the girl's," Hawkins said.

Just like the Crime Stoppers program, Hawkins said students would be
able to make their Jr. Crime Stoppers tips anonymously. Small rewards
of around $25 to $50 would be offered.

Hawkins said, as Grimes County continues to grow, particularly in the
southern portion, the chances of bigger problems will increase at the
four school districts.

"With Houston influence will come Houston problems. I see this as a
way to help combat those problems in the future," he said.

Sheriff Don Sowell said, currently, the four school districts are
"small enough to keep a lid on things." He said the Grimes County
Sheriff's Department would cooperate fully with a Jr. Crime Stoppers
program, and said Navasota Police Department Chief Joe Hester said his
department would, too.

"This is a way to get these kids on our side, and help get rid of
these problems before they get any bigger. I feel like we can make a
(Jr. Crime Stoppers) program that will serve as a model for other
areas," Sowell said.

Working hand-in-hand with the new teen court program, Hawkins said the
Jr. Crime Stoppers program would allow students to keep their schools
safe.

"Working with students, we can get something done, and get these
students involved," he said.

Crime Stoppers board members indicated support for the Jr. Crime
Stoppers program. Superintendents with the county's four school
districts will be asked to attend next month's meeting to discuss the
program, Hawkins said.