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County appoints Panhandle Crime Stoppers to receive Crime Stoppers Trust Fund distributions
Summary
A volunteer representative from Panhandle Crime Stoppers asked commissioners to appoint the nonprofit to receive trust fund distributions; the board approved the appointment and the group announced a March 11 community meeting at the Holmes County Agricultural Center.
Panhandle Crime Stoppers, represented by volunteer Rusty Russell, asked the Holmes County commissioners to appoint the organization as the county's agent to receive Crime Stoppers Trust Fund distributions established by state law. The commission approved the appointment by voice vote.
"My name's Rusty Russell. I'm a volunteer board member of Panhandle Crime Stoppers," Russell said, describing the group's volunteer structure and outreach work, including billboards and school outreach. He explained that the trust fund is supported by a court fee and that the organization uses the funds for community outreach and tip reporting technologies.
Russell said the group would provide administrative support through a contracted regional partner and that there would be no direct county staffing burden for tip intake or case management. "No calls to the county. No calls to us," Russell said of the administration model he described.
Commissioners asked a few clarifying questions about existing accounts and prior local Crime Stoppers activity; Russell and staff said historical accounts had minimal funds and that a regional contractor currently manages related administration in neighboring counties.
The board approved the appointment and Russell invited the commission to a community meeting on Wednesday, March 11, at the Holmes County Agricultural Center, where the group will host a lunch and discuss community engagement.
