November 1st, 2010
Hattiesburg, Miss- Members of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety’s Crime Stoppers Division, the Hattiesburg Public School District and the Hattiesburg Police Department held a press conference to formally announce a newly-designed initiative which will provide students with the opportunity to anonymously report any crime that may occur while on the school’s campus.
On Wednesday, October 27, 2010, Hattiesburg High School students and state, city, and school leaders joined together in the Hattiesburg High School Library announcing the formation of Campus Crime Stoppers, the first program in the state of Mississippi for students. This program will give students the opportunity to provide unconventional means in solving and reducing crime on campus.
“We have seen great success with the Hattiesburg Crime Stoppers program. By expanding the program to the school district, we are giving students the opportunity to have a voice in putting a stop to the unnecessary violence. Hattiesburg will be the first Campus Crime Stoppers program in Mississippi and we hope to set a model and encourage other cities to start similar programs,” said Mayor Johnny L. DuPree.
Campus Crime Stoppers is an internationally recognized program that provides monetary rewards for students who offer anonymous tips, which are also instrumental in solving crime, to the school administration about on-campus criminal acts or dangerous activities. In addition to five advisors, eight students from Hattiesburg High School and four students from N.R. Burger Middle School will serve on the Campus Crime Stoppers Board of Directors.
“I’m very excited about Campus Crime Stoppers! It is one of the best crime prevention and crime awareness programs available to keep our young people safe,” said Metro Crime Stoppers Coordinator Ms. Diane James.
For more information about Campus Crime Stoppers, contact Ms. Diane James, the Coordinator of Metro Crime Stoppers at 601-582-7867(STOP) or LaKeisha Bryant with the Hattiesburg Police Department’s Public Information Office and Juvenile Services at 601-408-2206.
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Magnolia Tribune
