JPD turns to Crime Stoppers for more clues
Vandalism case will carry felony charge
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

In an effort to find out who might be responsible for a case of recent vandalism, the Jasper Police Department has joined forces with EasTex Crime Stoppers.

A $1,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest of a suspect or suspects in connection with vandalism, which occurred July 5.

According to police reports, more than 32 vehicles had their tires slashed on Peachtree and Denton Drive.

Hunter said that separately the cases would be misdemeanors but the department believes the cases are all related. By combining the cases, the charge for the vandalism becomes a state jail felony.

Hunter said that anyone with information on the case is urged to contact 409-724-TIPS and added that you can remain anonymous. A special code number will be set if tips turn into a cash reward.

The crime will be featured as the crime of the week on Channel 12. A recreation of the incident is to be filmed Wednesday, July 18 in Jasper.

Jasper County joined forces with the EasTex Crime Stoppers a month ago. EasTex Crime Stoppers, formally the Crime Stoppers Program in Jefferson County, has demonstrated its value as one of the area's most costeffective anti-crime efforts. Danny Mallet, executive director, said their mission stresses active participation with local law enforcement agencies and the news media to help reduce crime and make the community as safe as possible.

Mallet says with this program expansion the Jefferson County law enforcement agencies will be working even closer with the surrounding counties to increase crime prevention efforts. "By expanding the Crime Stoppers organization to work on a regional basis," Mallet says "more eyes and ears will be available to assist law enforcement."

Formal agreements with Jasper, Newton and Liberty counties have been signed and other counties are working to be included. Mallet says Orange, Tyler, Hardin, Chambers and Polk counties have all expressed interest in being included in the regional effort.

"Jasper County was one of the first counties to sign up with us," Mallet said. "This should be one of the bigger programs in the state of Texas. When we get all 10 of these counties on board, we will have more than 500,000 sets of eyes watching all these counties and 8,000-square miles of territory."