Commissioners approve $5,000 federal forfeiture for Crime Stoppers reward fund

The Rockingham County Board of Commissioners on April 7 approved using $5,000 in federal forfeiture funds to support Scribe Stoppers reward payouts, a community policing program that offers anonymous tips to assist criminal investigations.

Captain Jennifer Brown presented the request and said the expenditure is allowable under the U.S. Department of Justice Guide to Equitable Sharing for State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies (2024 edition), Section 5.1(j), which permits law enforcement initiatives that further investigations. Brown described Scribe Stoppers as a separate civilian-run board that advertises unsolved crimes or wanted persons and maintains caller anonymity by assigning code numbers.

Brown told commissioners the sheriff’s office has 14 active cases that originated through the program at the county level; she said the number of total calls varies and that some calls are forwarded to other agencies. She said award recommendations are set by the civilian board and can range from about $100 for minor tips to $1,000–$5,000 for serious crimes, with the board deciding payouts.

Commissioner Barrow asked how many calls the county typically receives; Brown said call volume varies and the county liaison changed recently from retired Lieutenant Kevin Suther to Lieutenant Peyton Smith. Commissioner Richardson moved to approve the transfer; Commissioner Kellum seconded, and the board approved the $5,000 transfer by voice vote.

The funds will be administered through the Crime Stoppers board; Brown said the sheriff’s office does not control award decisions. She also said there had been no deposit to the local fund in the most recent fiscal year and that the last deposit had occurred “the year before last.”