That’s according to the end of year report from Crimestoppers of Morgan and Scott Counties. Crimestoppers law enforcement coordinator Loren Hamilton says it’s an increase over the last few years. He says a guttering machine valued at about $11-thousand was recovered that was stolen from a contractor at a worksite in Winchester in October.
     Hamilton says the organization received 122 tips that led to 30 arrests and helped solve 10 cases. The organization paid out $4,550 for information received during the year.
     Hamilton says the recent success of Crimestoppers in Morgan and Scott County stems from technological advances.
     “We’ve got the ability to do different things on our website now. We can actually put surveillance videos from convenience stores, retail outlets, things like that on our website,” says Hamilton. “Social media has grown so much that we’ve had people not only look at our information on our page, but share it on their own pages individual pages as well.”
     Anyone who has information concerning crimes within the two-county area can submit a tip online by going to morganscottcrimestoppers.webs.com and clicking the blue button on the home page or by calling Crimestoppers at 243-7300. Tips may also be submitted by texting 274637 (CRIMES). The first word of the text-tip must be "payout”.
     A cash reward of up to $1-thousand is paid for information leading to an arrest.
     “It’s great that we pay with rewards, and we do that, but hopefully we prevent some, too,” he says. “Hopefully some individuals out there maybe are on the fence on whether to [commit a crime]. Maybe their name on WLDS or ten minutes of shame on the Journal-Courier or putting their picture on our website will prevent them from committing the activity before it even starts.”
     Hamilton says the organization is supported through fundraisers and donations.