07-02-2009, 04:05 PM
NAACP backs Crime Stoppers
By Sharon Coolidge • scoolidge@enquirer.com • July 2, 2009
Cincinnati NAACP President Christopher Smitherman talked last fall to Hope Dudley, whose 26-year-old son, Daniel Dudley, died in a 2007 Hartwell homicide.
Smitherman said Dudley told him her heart was broken because no arrests had been made.
"Her story compelled me to say, 'Listen, we have to do something,'" Smitherman said.
The NAACP in March endorsed Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Crime Stoppers, encouraging members to share any information they had about crimes, particularly homicides, which the chapter views as the ultimate civil rights violation.
Now, Smitherman is taking that endorsement national. He and his chapter wrote a resolution for the National NAACP to endorse Crime Stoppers USA and for NAACP chapters nationwide to endorse their local Crime Stoppers chapters.
That idea was accepted and has been put on the agenda for the NAACP Centennial Convention in New York City which kicks off July 11. Smitherman expects the resolution to pass.
"An endorsement from the NAACP would mean exposure nationally and get the word out that people can call anonymously," said Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Crime Stoppers Director Chuck Kreimer.
Although the endorsement seems intuitive - who wouldn't support helping solve crime - the decision to endorse the local Crime Stoppers chapter wasn't made lightly, Smitherman said.
"There is non-trustful environment between the NAACP and police department and the perception was that Crime Stoppers was the police department, not the individual board they are," Smitherman said.
Meetings between the NAACP, police and Crime Stoppers relieved all doubts about Crime Stoppers, an independent non-profit organization that gives rewards for crime tips, allowing tipsters to remain anonymous.
Cincinnati Police Col. Michael Cureton called the endorsement an important alliance.
"I believe there is a high level of trust placed in the organization and I believe if the NAACP as a national organization endorses Crime Stoppers people are more likely to be involved in efforts of Crime Stoppers to solve crime," Cureton said. "The NAACP is a strong moral voice with a great deal of influence."
That the endorsement was a difficult decision for the Cincinnati chapter surprised Kreimer.
"Come to meeting, see where the high crime areas are, see who is being killed and see who the tipsters are," Kreimer said. "You will see $1.2 million (the amount of money paid out in tips over the last 30 years) reasons why they should endorse us."
Smitherman said this fall the support Kreimer likes most is coming: a monetary donation of $1,000. That money will be specified for rewards in the Dudley homicide and another homicide, Smitherman said.
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090...e+Stoppers
By Sharon Coolidge • scoolidge@enquirer.com • July 2, 2009
Cincinnati NAACP President Christopher Smitherman talked last fall to Hope Dudley, whose 26-year-old son, Daniel Dudley, died in a 2007 Hartwell homicide.
Smitherman said Dudley told him her heart was broken because no arrests had been made.
"Her story compelled me to say, 'Listen, we have to do something,'" Smitherman said.
The NAACP in March endorsed Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Crime Stoppers, encouraging members to share any information they had about crimes, particularly homicides, which the chapter views as the ultimate civil rights violation.
Now, Smitherman is taking that endorsement national. He and his chapter wrote a resolution for the National NAACP to endorse Crime Stoppers USA and for NAACP chapters nationwide to endorse their local Crime Stoppers chapters.
That idea was accepted and has been put on the agenda for the NAACP Centennial Convention in New York City which kicks off July 11. Smitherman expects the resolution to pass.
"An endorsement from the NAACP would mean exposure nationally and get the word out that people can call anonymously," said Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Crime Stoppers Director Chuck Kreimer.
Although the endorsement seems intuitive - who wouldn't support helping solve crime - the decision to endorse the local Crime Stoppers chapter wasn't made lightly, Smitherman said.
"There is non-trustful environment between the NAACP and police department and the perception was that Crime Stoppers was the police department, not the individual board they are," Smitherman said.
Meetings between the NAACP, police and Crime Stoppers relieved all doubts about Crime Stoppers, an independent non-profit organization that gives rewards for crime tips, allowing tipsters to remain anonymous.
Cincinnati Police Col. Michael Cureton called the endorsement an important alliance.
"I believe there is a high level of trust placed in the organization and I believe if the NAACP as a national organization endorses Crime Stoppers people are more likely to be involved in efforts of Crime Stoppers to solve crime," Cureton said. "The NAACP is a strong moral voice with a great deal of influence."
That the endorsement was a difficult decision for the Cincinnati chapter surprised Kreimer.
"Come to meeting, see where the high crime areas are, see who is being killed and see who the tipsters are," Kreimer said. "You will see $1.2 million (the amount of money paid out in tips over the last 30 years) reasons why they should endorse us."
Smitherman said this fall the support Kreimer likes most is coming: a monetary donation of $1,000. That money will be specified for rewards in the Dudley homicide and another homicide, Smitherman said.
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090...e+Stoppers