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 Crime
Stoppers of Sangamon and Menard Counties unveiled a
truly unique program to rid neighborhoods of drug trafficking
and drug houses by creating a highly visible presence
combined with a door to door campaign.
The Dumpster Program utilizes the strategic placement
of an inoperable dumpster which will alert neighbors
to drug activity in their neighborhood. It will be supplemented
with a leaflet campaign whereby the neighborhood is
blanketed with information helping the public better
identify illicit drug activity. If residents recognize
any such activity, they are asked to contact Crime Stoppers
at 788-8427.
"This is a proactive approach to help rid our community
of illegal drug activity," said Springfield Mayor
Tim Davlin. "By creating a very visible reminder
to those involved that such activity will not be tolerated,
we hope to reduce the proliferation of drug houses and
eliminate these sore spots in our neighborhoods. This
campaign will capitalize on the resources of neighbors
to help alert police to illicit activity so that appropriate
action can be quickly taken."
The program works by placing the specially painted
dumpster at the request of neighborhood associations
in neighborhoods where drug activity is suspected. It
will be left in one location for a period of time, then
moved to new places as the need arises. Since illicit
drug activity can be occurring in anywhere in the city,
the dumpster will likely show up in a variety of neighborhoods.
The dumpster program was developed and recommended
by Springfield Police Lieutenant Bill Neale, when he
served as Crime Stoppers coordinator. Bill has taken
the lead and developed the entire program from start
to finish. He has contacted a number of businesses who
have voluntarily contributed items or services. Everything
involving the program has been donated including the
dumpster and a towing service to move it.
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Those companies which are making the dumpster
program possible are:
Canham Graphics
Capital Area Career Center
Egizii
Electric
Fehring
Iron Works
Highway Technologies
Kim's Autobody
Lake
Area Disposal
Neon
& Fluorescent Sign Supply
Pawnee
Lumber
Toms Towing Service
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From left to right – Springfield
Police Lieutenant Bill Neale, Crime Stoppers 2009
President Joe Ushman, Crime Stoppers Board Member
Steve Meyer, Crime Stoppers Board Member Bill
Pongracz, Crime Stoppers Coordinator Butch Slater
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If you have information about a crime or suspicious
activities, you can remain completely anonymous by contacting
Crime Stoppers at 217-788-8427 [1-800-397-2288], submitting
a tip via the internet or using
a cell phone to send a tip [type TIP672 plus your
message and send it CRIMES(274637)]. You could get a
cash reward of up to $1000.
Remember Crime Stoppers wants your information,
not your name.
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