The St. Landry Crime Stoppers program has been awarded the 2018 Best Crime of the Week for both radio and print for the population 0 to 250,000 in the nation, according to St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz.
Last year St. Landry Crime Stoppers won the 2017 Best TV and Radio Crime of the Week but was beat out for television this year by Crime Stoppers of Napperville, Illinois.
“The only other time Louisiana received awards was in 2014 and 2015 for population over 250,000 and was won by New Orleans Crime Stoppers and Greater New Orleans Crime Stoppers.” Guidroz said.
Deputy Chief Eddie Thibodeaux, who serves as the spokesman for Crime Stoppers, stated that the Crime Stoppers USA National Board looked at the program and based their decision on the following criteria: contribution to public awareness, originality of idea or concept, quality and excellence, impact on community, and results obtained.
President of the St. Landry Crime Stoppers board of directors, Stephanie Johnson, said, “Deputy Chief Thibodeaux, under the direction and authority of Sheriff Bobby Guidroz, continues his concept of not only spotlighting more of the crime but bringing in the men and women of law enforcement who directly work on the cases aired.”
Thibodeaux added, “Coordinators are merely spokespersons, airing the men and women of law enforcement, the real heroes of law enforcement who actually solve the cases through the tips of Crime Stoppers don’t get enough credit. The media and the tipsters deserve credit as well, without them cases would be harder to solve.”
The St. Landry Crime Stoppers Crime of the Week is aired in Acadiana and also posted on websites in an effort to assist the victims of crimes throughout the area, not just St. Landry Parish.
The St. Landry Crime of the Week is taped in studio at radio station KBON then shared to other broadcasting stations. The stations broadcast the Crime of the Week every Wednesday throughout the day. Then on Thursday mornings, Deputy Chief Thibodeaux travels to Lafayette for the weekly Crime of the Week segment on KPEL. The segment airs live and features the latest Crime of the Week, scams, and personal safety tips. The Crime of the Week is printed in the Eunice News and Daily World newspapers and also posted on their social media websites.
Guidroz added, “The Crime of the Week is a public service to the citizens of Acadiana. I would personally like to thank the media outlets for giving up valuable air time spotlighting crimes in and around Acadiana. If law enforcement, the media, and the citizens all work together, more cases can be solved.”
The main goal of Crime Stoppers is to spotlight a crime, receive anonymous tips, and pay out cash for information leading to the arrest. The public can help by calling the tip line at 337-948-TIPS (8477); tip online at stlandrycrimestoppers.com, or by downloading the P3 app on any mobile device and tip anonymously using a mobile device.