Brian Hagberg
WARREN, Pa. – After having been inoperable for most of the year, the phone at Warren County Crime Stoppers is back in operation and the organization is looking for volunteers to replenish its ranks.
Since at least January, anyone calling 1-800-83-CRIME (1-800-832-7463) would be met with an unending ring. The Crime Stoppers board, as it stands, got to work and had a new phone installed in late July with an added bonus.
“If the phone wasn’t answered, or if we didn’t know it was ringing, it just went to nowhere,” Warren County Sheriff Brian Zeybel said at the July Crime Stoppers meeting. “So now we have an answering machine as well. That’s never been available before.”
The current resurgence was spurred in part thanks to the podcast “Smoke: The Disappearance of Damien Sharp.” Listeners were encouraged to call Crime Stoppers with information and several reached out to host Stacey Gross after attempting to call only to get an endless ring. (Editor’s note: Your Daily Local is a co-producer of the podcast)
“Had it not been for people reaching out to let me know that their attempts to call the line were going nowhere, there’s no indication that this issue would have come to light anytime soon,” Gross said. “Any opportunity the project offers to correct issues and make a tangible difference in the efficiency of county systems is a win.”
Gross reached out to Warren County District Attorney Rob Greene and Warren County Crime Stoppers Treasurer/Interim President Gary Barnes to make sure the organization was aware of the issue. Within two weeks of Gross’s meeting with current board members and potential new members, the new phone was installed.
“An efficient system for people to anonymously provide information that could make or break any case is worth time and effort to maintain,” Gross said. “My hope is that going forward, this system – which DA Rob Greene himself called an important resource for county law enforcement – will be prioritized by those responsible for running it, and used well by the people of Warren County. I genuinely hope that the tip that solves this case comes to that line, to drive home its importance.”
Now that the phone is up and running again, Crime Stoppers needs volunteers both to serve within the organization, and to support it financially. The current group is utilizing the Fair as a way to meet people where they are.
“We will be at the Warren County Fair to recruit members and discuss Crime Stoppers and hand out fliers,” Greene said.
The organization, which has been serving Warren County for at least four decades, essentially went on hiatus during the pandemic. The immediate priority is to let people know that hiatus is over.
“The goal is to raise awareness that Crime Stoppers is back in business,” Zeybel said.
Greene said those volunteers who serve on the board will have a say in determining the reward amount for tips deemed helpful to law enforcement. They will also get a chance to interact more directly with local law enforcement.
“It’s bridging the gap between civilians and law enforcement,” Greene said.
Zeybel said ideally people being aware of and willing to reach out to Crime Stoppers will help citizens pay closer attention to things going on in their neighborhoods.
“It’s not to get a neighborhood watch but it’s a ‘be cognizant of this crime,'” Zeybel said. “Be cognizant of what’s going on out there.”
The organization is funded through donations, and its biggest fundraiser, the Steer Dump, will be absent at the Fair this year. Officials are optimistic that with additional volunteers and a full board in place, it will return in 2023.
Volunteers will be manning the Crime Stoppers table at the Fair throughout the week, handing out brochures and answering questions. They will also have forms available for potential new members as well.
The current plan is for Crime Stoppers to meet monthly, with the next meeting in September (date, time, and location to be announced). With enough volunteers and a full board in place, Greene believes Crime Stoppers can help build a “community policing force.”
“It’s a great way for law enforcement to talk to civilians, to get input from people that are not in law enforcement,” Greene said. “To talk about where the problems are at in this community, and be more of a community policing force, rather than we’re doing our own separate thing.”
