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Inmate tipster donates reward to local charities
(June 29, 2008) MANATEE COUNTY -Courage and charity have come from an unlikely place in the wake of violence in Manatee County , according to a local crime fighting organization. An inmate in the Florida prison system has decided to donate reward money he received for putting a convicted killer behind bars to a local agency fighting domestic violence and two local children's groups.
The inmate, scheduled to be released from prison this fall, became eligible for a $3,000 reward when his anonymous tip and testimony in court led to a conviction in the murder of Ingrid Lugo, 34, found strangled in a retention pond in 2004. But the inmate refused his reward, telling two local agencies that offer rewards for tips on crime to donate his reward to charity. So Manatee County Crimestoppers and Manatee Gold Star Club have done just that, selecting three local groups to receive the money.
On Friday, Hope Family Services, an agency that assists victims of domestic violence, received $1,000 in Lugo 's name, and Manatee Girl Scout and Boy Scout groups also received $1,000 each. "It was definitely unexpected," said Manatee County Crimestoppers Executive Director Frank Brunner . "When we told him of the reward he said he didn't want it. He told us he was just doing what was right."
In November, Manatee County sheriff's deputies arrested Brian Curry, 37, in Lugo 's death, a case that had gone unsolved for nearly three years. A program spearheaded by the Florida Association of Crime Stoppers, along with state law enforcement agencies, had paid off. One of 100,000 decks of playing cards with information on cold case murders from across Florida, put in the hands of more than 90,000 prison inmates, ended up being read by an inmate who had heard Curry talking about killing Lugo, his ex-girlfriend.
The inmate called the Crimestoppers anonymous tip line and later testified in court. After a jury found Curry guilty of murder, a judge sentenced him to life in prison. Crimestoppers officials say the hope is the inmate's acts will encourage others to come forward with information on crime, as well as comfort Lugo 's family. "There is nothing that could replace the tragic taking of Ms. Lugo's life in the hearts of her family and friends," Crimestoppers President Steve Rowland said. "However, we hope they can take comfort in the good resulting from the donations these worthy organizations have received."
Crime Stoppers worried reward money will be pulled
(February 2008) MANATEE COUNTY - Five million dollars, that's what Governor Charlie Crist wants to take out of the Crime Stoppers program. He says it's needed for the state's general revenue fund. But we talked to the president of Crime Stoppers; He says ‘not so fast'.
Crime Stoppers is the group you call if you have a tip about where a criminal is, or who's committed a crime, and they give you a reward for your tip. The president of Crime Stoppers says they've gotten thousands of criminals off the streets, so he says its imperative that Crime Stoppers is taken off the Governor's radar.
2004: A Sarasota woman named Ingrid Lugo is found murdered, floating face up in a pond on Cooper Creek Boulevard. For nearly three years, her case remained unsolved...until 2007. A deck of playing cards featuring cold cases is handed out in Florida prisons. Ingrid Lugo is on one of those cards.
"The prison system is the internet of crime." An inmate turned in 36-year-old Bryan Curry. His murder trial is now less than two weeks away.
Those playing cards are one of many tools used by Crime Stoppers. Its biggest tool: offering a reward of up to $1,000 for tips leading to the arrest and conviction of a criminal. "We've kept $20-30 million worth of drugs off the streets. We've captured tens of thousands of criminals," says Crime Stoppers president Steve Rowland.
And now Rowland fears it could all be in jeopardy. Buried in the 343 pages of the governor's proposed budget - section 23 - the Governor recommends the Crime Stoppers trust fund of five million dollars, money used for that reward money, be transferred to the state's general revenue fund.
Rowland says the governor is raiding his organization. "It might not sound pretty, but in essence that's what it is."
Crime Stoppers is funded through court fees. "So it's not tax dollars. In the purest sense, it's a user fee. If you're a guilty criminal, you're assessed this $20 that goes in the Crime Stoppers trust fund." So essentially it's money earned from bad guys...used to catch other bad guys.
Rowland says he gets that times are tight, but he says the governor's proposal could stop Crime Stoppers. "A five million dollar portion compared to the overall billions of dollars in the state budget. Maybe there's another place to pull that money from." The Governor's budget is only proposed at this point. Legislators have the final say in approval. So Rowland is trying to start a letter campaign in regards to it. We did try several times to contact the Governor's office. Our phone calls were not returned. (Cite: www.mysuncoast.com)
On Friday, June 29, 2007 at the Crime Stoppers Southeastern Regional Training Conference in Orlando, Florida, Steve Rowland, President of Crime Stoppers of Manatee County, was named President of the Florida Association of Crime Stoppers (FACS). FACS comprises approximately thirty Crime Stoppers programs across the state of Florida, providing assistance to Law Enforcement in 55 counties. Their mission is to assist Law Enforcement by providing monetary rewards to anonymous tipsters in an effort to make Florida a safer place to live and work.
Rowland, who just completed a year as FACS’ Vice President, remarked, “I am honored to be at the helm of this outstanding organization. Local tax revenue reductions resulting from the special Legislative Session magnify the role and need for local Crime Stoppers programs since our assistance and resources are not funded with tax dollars.”
In the last five years, Crime Stopper programs in Florida have generated well over 125,000 tips, leading to the arrest of over 18,000 wanted persons, over $11,500,000 in recovered stolen property, over $31,000,000 in narcotics seizures and over $3,500,000 in rewards paid. These staggering statistics are even more impressive when you consider that local Crime Stopper programs are private non-profit organizations that provide their assistance and resources without tax dollars.
Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube remarked, “Our office has enjoyed a great relationship with Crime Stoppers for almost 20 years, and their efforts are helping us in many ways. In addition to the routine tips they provide, we are currently partnering with CrimeStoppers to offer a $1000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of individuals involved with a string of unsolved armed robberies.”
“I know Steve to be a strong leader, and I’m sure he will bring FACS to a new level of excellence”, said Holmes Beach Police Chief Jay Romine, a founding member of Manatee’s Crime Stopper program. “Steve’s commitment to supporting local Law Enforcement is proven. I now look forward to his impact at the State level. I’m proud of our local Crime Stoppers program and I think Steve’s Presidency highlights the reputation and respect our Manatee program enjoys throughout the state.”
Bradenton Police Chief Mike Radzilowski commented, “Crime Stoppers recently helped us solve one of our unsolved murders. They are currently helping us get violent criminals and gang members off our streets. They offer an anonymous way for people to provide information that they might otherwise be too afraid to give directly to the police for fear of retribution. We appreciate and support Crime Stoppers. Steve’s Presidency is good for the State, our community and the City.”
The man wanted by authorities in connection with the abduction of a 13-year-old Florida boy was taken into custody Wednesday in Texas, the Manatee County Sheriff's Department said.
Vicente Ignacio Beltran-Moreno, 22, turned himself over to U.S. authorities after walking across the U.S.-Mexico border at the Hidalgo County crossing, Maj. Connie Shingledecker said at a news conference.
Beltran-Moreno had fled to Sinaloa state on Mexico's Pacific coast soon after the February 23 abduction of Clay Moore, 13, Shingledecker said.
The suspect was with relatives in his native Mexico, and authorities persuaded him to turn himself in Wednesday in Texas through a series of daily phone calls, Shingledecker said. Source: CNN
Haunting face cards
Images of unsolved murder victims on playing cards may generate tips from jail
Crime Stoppers of Manatee County would like to thank all of the participants and sponsors of this year's Safe Kids Night. The event was once again a big success and a great time was had by all. Crime Stoppers of Manatee County looks forward to the five year anniversary of the event! See you next year.
Crime Stoppers of Manatee County Seeks New Members
September 1, 2006
Manatee County, Florida – Crime Stoppers of Manatee County is seeking law abiding and civic minded citizens to join their organization. CrimeStoppers is a local, non-profit 501c3 law enforcement support organization. The local chapter is affiliated with the Florida Association of Crimestoppers as well as Crimestoppers International and meets monthly for lunch at the Bradenton Country Club. Crime Stoppers of Manatee County assists local law enforcement by offering rewards for anonymous tips that lead to arrests. Crimestoppers operates a 24 hour anonymous tips line for citizens to call in information about criminal activity or wanted persons. Tips that lead to arrests are eligible for up to $1000. To become a member of Crime Stoppers, an individual must attend 3 consecutive monthly meetings and agree to volunteer to work community events and participate in our public awareness efforts. For more information on how to become a part of CrimeStoppers, please contact Frank Brunner at 792-2732.
Crime Stoppers of Manatee County President Elected to State Office
June 16, 2006
Orlando, Florida - At the Summer Conference of the Florida Association of Crime Stoppers (FACS), Steve Rowland, President of Crime Stoppers of Manatee County, was elected Vice-President of the State Association. Commenting on his two-year term, he expressed a feeling of excitement for the challenges ahead.
"FACS is at a crossroads in its existence", said Rowland. "We are evolving from a loose-knit group of programs into a more respected Statewide organization. From spearheading cold-case rewards like that of the 50-year-old murders of Civil Rights Leader Harry T. Moore and his wife in Central Florida in 1956, to helping close unsolved homicides through a Jail Playing Cards initiative, the Florida Association of Crime Stoppers stands at the ready to do our part in making the State of Florida a better, safer place to live. I am pleased to be a part of the leadership team during these exciting times."
