IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT-CRIME STOPPERS INTERNATIONAL

We have read with interest the statement from the Police Department
concurring a new tips hot line for reporting information regarding the
severe "ice" (methamphetamine) problem in the County of Hawaii.

The police coordinator assigned to the program will submit a reward request
form designed by West Hawaii Crime Stoppers, and a detailed report of the
case together with his or her recommendation to the directors who will study
and decide on the reward figure to be awarded.

We would like to bring to the attention of the public that Crime Stoppers
programs wherever located in the world are not police department programs.
They are civilian, not for profit organizations and all who participate are
volunteers; West Hawaii Crime Stoppers is no different. The only police
person in the program is the coordinator allocated by the department, who is
not a member of the board and has no vote.

To refresh readers' memories, an informant who has knowledge of a crime
should call the tips line (which in West Hawaii is 329-8181). The telephone
belongs completely to our program, we pay for the line, however it is
located in the Kona Police Department, The information is taken by a trained
and seasoned detective and will be investigated. At the same time the caller
who is told at the outset not to give his or her name will be given a code
number. No single tip solves a crime and it is necessary for detectives to
investigate further, and if an arrest is made, then the informant made the
call is eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

The police coordinator assigned to the Crime Stoppers program will submit a
reward request form with his or her recommendation designed by West Hawaii
Crime Stoppers board, and a detailed report of the case to the directors who
will study and decide on the figure to be awarded.

All reports, reward form requests connected with a Crime Stoppers case
remain the property of West Hawaii Crime Stoppers. This coupled with the
fact the phone and line are paid for by ourselves ensures the information
does not become a matter of public record. Let me stress that no person
knows the name of the informant and this is one of the major successes of
the crime stoppers program worldwide.

The board of directors are responsible for raising the necessary funds to
maintain the program and ensure that funds are available to pay the rewards
and administration fees. West Hawaii Crime Stoppers is one of the most
active in the state and is considered by Crime Stoppers International as one
of the best programs worldwide. For those who wish to know more please check
our web site at www.whcrimestoppers.com.

Since we know little of the planned "ice" hot line, it is difficult for us
to comment. However, for it to be completely successful we believe it must
ensure the anonymity of the caller. If rewards are to be paid, what are the
guidelines for amount of reward and other requirements?

We receive many calls regarding narcotics on the Crime Stoppers tips line
and have paid out several rewards for successful cases solved, and do not
see why a second line is required, since this will probably confuse the
public. However anything which helps eradicate the ice problem is a major
step forward in our book.

During the complete process of a case at no time is any person aware of the
identity of the informant and that is essential. Once an informant is
revealed the case is no longer considered as eligible for a reward. It is
our belief that to be successful in the fight against drugs that an active
program be implemented which starts in the schools, and is supported by all
local organizations, service clubs and the community.

Our Junior Miss Crime Stoppers-Hawaii 2003 is a seventh grade student at
Hualalai Academy, very articulate and available to speak at schools. The
Student Crime Stoppers programs numbering over 4,000 worldwide and run
completely by the students is most successful. There are several in Hawaii
and in fact West Hawaii Crime Stoppers had the first program in the state at
Konawaena High School. Five students from that school attended the first
international student conference in Kelowna British Columbia, in 1997.
However, when the principal changed, the program was stopped since the
replacement principal decided that it was not necessary.

We urge readers if they have knowledge of any crime, and particularly those
connected with drugs, to call 329-8181, and report same. This will ensure
you will remain anonymous with no fear of retribution. We are pleased the
new police administration whom we back one hundred percent is taking
positive steps in this uphill battle and will support them completely.

In any Crime Stoppers program the media play an essential role and we would
like to see your newspaper publish on a weekly basis numbers to call for
crime stoppers on both sides of the island and others related to the war on
ice. As the community voice it is essential that people know where to call.
We find it somewhat ironic the new telephone directory distributed free does
not show West Hawaii Crime Stoppers listed but shows a for-profit tips line
number We-Tips.

Our major project at the moment regards the use of marked police cars as
opposed to subsidized vehicles since we believe one of the major problems in
the county is police visibility and the lack of marked vehicles. Please do
not hesitate to call me if there are further questions at 322-9969.

Viewpoint articles represent the views of individuals in our community and
do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the newspaper.