There’s an urgent call for help right now from crime fighters working to bring closure to families of unsolved crimes.
The executive director of Cook County Crime Stoppers told NBC Chicago they’re in danger of shutting down after 40 years in operation due to serious funding concerns.
“We’re at the point right now where we can’t do it all alone,” said Paul Rutherford, Cook County Crime Stoppers executive director.
In an email and letter to supporters, Rutherford said they’ve reached a critical point and that they’re in desperate need of funding to continue with operations.
“If we don’t receive any type of funding by January of next year we are done,” he said.
Rutherford took over as the executive director two years ago, but he’s been with the non-profit organization as a volunteer for 20 years. He said Crime Stoppers helped to solve his brother’s murder two decades ago and he wants to do the same for others.
“This is my passion, this is my life,” he said. “I even told my boss I’m willing to take a pay cut just so I can do Crime Stoppers full time.”
He said over the 40-year span of operations, they never applied for grants and relied solely on private donations, sponsorships, and volunteers who would hit the streets every weekend.
“No Crime Stoppers organization in the nation does what we do where we go out to the actual crime scene and canvass and knock on doors and ask the community what did you see about this case,” he said.
Cook County Crime Stoppers has helped solve more than 3,600 cases and contributed to the arrest of more than 3,500 people since launching in 1985.
While they have an agreement with the Chicago Police Department to pay out rewards for homicide cases only, Rutherford said for non-fatal and other crimes they have done so out of pocket.
“We have about $5,000 right now in our bank account,” he explained. “If I solve four non-homicides, non-fatal (crimes), that leaves me $1,000.”
He said Crime Stoppers of Houston has an operating budget of $6 million and a staff of more than 25 people. Rutherford said he wants to open an office and hire staff to help with outreach.
“We’re gonna try to do everything and anything that we can to remain afloat,” he said. “Again, it’s not about us we just need the money to supply the demand that we are receiving from law enforcement to continue to do our work.”
He knows the work they do is crucial providing a bridge between the community and police. They’re seeing an increase in the number of cases from averaging 50 cases per year to 140 cases as of today, according to Rutherford. He’s worried about what could happen if they shut down.
“Law enforcement is going to suffer, victims of families are going to suffer, and the community most definitely is going to suffer,” he said.
Rutherford has requested to meet with Chicago’s new Deputy Mayor of Community Safety to talk about possible funding. He said they’re applying for a grant this week asking for $5 million from Cook County.
NBC 5 reached out to the Chicago Police Department and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office for comment on the partnership but have not heard back.
Hence then, the article about cook county crime stoppers in need of critical funding to continue with operations was published today ( ) and is available on NBC Chicago ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Cook County Crime Stoppers in need of critical funding to continue with operations )
Also on site :