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<\/a>It was a night of achievement and recognition for members of Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers, who earned three awards at the Southeastern Crime Stoppers Association\u2019s 31st\u00a0annual awards banquet on Wednesday, May 23 at the Hyatt Coconut Point in Estero.\u00a0 The awards banquet was the culmination of a four day annual training conference, which was also hosted by Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers.<\/p>\n
For the sixth consecutive year, Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers earned the Productivity Award for assisting in the arrests of more fugitives, the closure of more unsolved cases and the recovery of more drugs and property than any program of its size in the\u00a0Southeastern US.\u00a0 In 2011, anonymous Crime Stoppers tips led to 778 arrests, the closure of 1,795 cases, the seizure of nearly $330,000 in drugs and property, with awards payouts of just over $182,000.\u00a0 The program also received an award for its long-length public service announcement entitled \u201cNot in My Backyard: When Human Trafficking Hits Home,\u201d documenting the growing concern of human slavery occurring right here in our own community.\u00a0 Finally, Board member Samantha Syoen, Communications Director for the State Attorney\u2019s Office, received the prestigious \u201cCitizen of the Year\u201d award for her dedication to Crime Stoppers, and her extensive efforts in coordinating numerous fund raising events throughout the year.\u00a0 Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization, serving the counties of Lee,\u00a0Charlotte, Collier, Hendry and\u00a0Glades\u00a0Counties, which operates exclusively from donations and a share of fines imposed upon criminals.<\/p>\n
\u201cEarning these awards is a testament to the fact that Crime Stoppers works.\u00a0 However, our program couldn\u2019t be successful without the callers who have had the bravery, and good citizenship, to pick up the phone and provide anonymous tips on unsolved crimes and wanted fugitives.\u00a0 A tremendous amount of credit also goes to the law enforcement members who quickly follow up on those tips, and make the arrests,\u201d said Trish Routte, Coordinator of Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers.<\/p>\n
The Southeastern Crime Stoppers Association\u2019s membership spans from\u00a0Washington,\u00a0D.C.\u00a0southward to\u00a0Puerto Rico.<\/p>\n