Crime solvers group formed - Martinsburg Journal

BERKELEY SPRINGS — Morgan County has a new citizen-driven organization to help fight crime. A board of directors was elected this week from founding members of the Morgan County-Berkeley Springs Crime Solvers, the organization with the recognizable logo of the dog McGruff in his signature trench coat, who says, “Take a bite out of crime.”

Crimes Solvers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1976 when anonymous tips were sought for information in a murder case. Morgan County Sheriff K. C. Bohrer said there are over 1,200 Crime Solvers organizations in at least 20 countries.

“There is no national organization or headquarters,” said Bohrer. “But Crime Solvers is known worldwide.”

Crime Solvers involves a three-pronged attack against crime using the police, the civic and business communities and news media. The program publicizes unsolved crimes and wanted suspects, and offers an anonymous, toll-free telephone number for individuals to provide the police information about those crimes in exchange for cash rewards. Callers are given an identification number. No names are taken.

Sheriff Bohrer said the local 911 dispatch will also be involved in the process.

If the information supplied by the caller results in the arrest of a suspect and a subsequent indictment, law enforcement completes a special police form indicating these results, and then forwards it to the program’s advisory officer. The advisor contacts the board of directors, indicates that a tip has proven fruitful, and presents the facts of the case to members.

Members review the information and determine the amount, if any, to be awarded. The advisory officer alerts the caller of the results of the review.

He or she verifies the caller’s identification number and information to confirm that it is the proper caller in a particular case. Once verification has been made, the officer advises the caller of a specific time and location where he or she is to receive the cash award.

The first Crime Solvers meeting in Berkeley Springs in March had 30 people in attendance. The second meeting on April 5 had about 20 in attendance.

“I was very encouraged by the interest, support and participation,” Bohrer said. “Many people have told me they would like to see organizations in Morgan County where law enforcement and the public can work closely together to better protect our community, and Crime Solvers is a great way to facilitate this.”

Members elected a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer on April 5. Six board members were also elected.

Sheriff Bohrer, a West Virginia State Police representative, Berkeley Springs Police Chief Tim Johnson, Assistant Prosecutor Ray Boyce and Jim Gainey will act as advisors. Gainey was previously with Montgomery County Police in Maryland, and is now a court officer with the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department. A tip line will soon be established.

The local chapter will solicit donations and dues-paying members of the community and business community. Dues amounts for individuals or businesses, and a reward payment schedule for tips, are yet to be determined.

The next meeting will be May 3 at 7 p.m. at the county commission room of the Morgan County courthouse. Anyone interested in being a volunteer member may attend. For more information, call the sheriff’s department at 304-258-1067 or email bwolfe@aol.com.

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