It began as an easy way for citizens to anonymously call in information about crimes and fugitives, but Crime Stoppers has grown into much more than a crime-fighting hotline. And because of the national program s success and growth worldwide since its founding in 1976, January has been named National Crime Stoppers Month. The reward money is funded from court fees paid by crime suspects when their cases come to trial. After a tip leads to an arrest, tipsters use their assigned identification number and a code word to collect their cash reward from a local bank. The program has resulted in hundreds of felony arrests and convictions for major crimes including homicides since its inception.
Mentors meet for an hour each week at the school of a student with whom they have been matched.
By building relationships with the student, mentors aim to help reduce truancy, gang involvement, drug abuse and teen pregnancy. The city is seeking citizen views on five key commercial corridors being studied for their potential to provide job opportunities, increase the tax base and improve the quality of life in Fort Worth s central city. The task force wants citizens to help the city target where it should focus its efforts within each corridor. The city has identified approximately 35 corridors as potential candidates for redevelopment. Five corridors were selected to be part of the initial effort.