How KRBC's "Wheel" Boosts APD's Crook-Catching Rate
By: Randy Turner and Stetson Samuel
Updated: May 17, 2011
The mission of Abilene Crimestoppers is to carry out a community offensive against crime through law enforcement, the media and citizen involvement. Nowhere is that more evident than on KRBC each Wednesday night when we spin the "Wheel of Misfortune".
It's been a regular part of KRBC Wednesday night news for two and a half years.
Since that first segment, 19 of the featured felons that were on the wheel have been arrested as a direct result of tips received.
Many tipsters receive $500 for their call. However, payouts can vary.
"For the one that we run on the wheel, or advertise in some other manner that we feature, our terminology feature, it's a $500 reward. If it's somebody that we run like one of the people that's not the one that it lands on this week, but it's one of the twelve, as long as we're advertising them on our internet site, on the wheel or whatever the venue, those are $250," said Gary Heslep, of Abilene Crimestoppers.
Heslep also added, "the process works when someone calls and gives us information on whatever it is, whether it be a fugitive, whether it be a crime that has occurred, whatever the case, they are assigned a code number and then from that point forth, when they communicate with us, they identify themselves by this code number."
Crimestopper statistics suggest that you, the KRBC viewer, have greatly increased the arrest rate in the City of Abilene.
"When you compare our arrest statistics to pre-wheel days, versus the way they've been for the past two and a half years, there's a visible difference," says Heslep.
Abilene Crimestoppers is funded through a couple of different sources. A golf tournament and from people on probation. Some of their probation fees go to Crimestoppers. So it's somewhat fitting that the people who are committing the crimes, are helping fund the program to catch other criminals.
It's been a regular part of KRBC Wednesday night news for two and a half years.
Since that first segment, 19 of the featured felons that were on the wheel have been arrested as a direct result of tips received.
Many tipsters receive $500 for their call. However, payouts can vary.
"For the one that we run on the wheel, or advertise in some other manner that we feature, our terminology feature, it's a $500 reward. If it's somebody that we run like one of the people that's not the one that it lands on this week, but it's one of the twelve, as long as we're advertising them on our internet site, on the wheel or whatever the venue, those are $250," said Gary Heslep, of Abilene Crimestoppers.
Heslep also added, "the process works when someone calls and gives us information on whatever it is, whether it be a fugitive, whether it be a crime that has occurred, whatever the case, they are assigned a code number and then from that point forth, when they communicate with us, they identify themselves by this code number."
Crimestopper statistics suggest that you, the KRBC viewer, have greatly increased the arrest rate in the City of Abilene.
"When you compare our arrest statistics to pre-wheel days, versus the way they've been for the past two and a half years, there's a visible difference," says Heslep.
Abilene Crimestoppers is funded through a couple of different sources. A golf tournament and from people on probation. Some of their probation fees go to Crimestoppers. So it's somewhat fitting that the people who are committing the crimes, are helping fund the program to catch other criminals.
