The Owen Common Council held their regular meeting on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.
Pete Kaz was on hand to present some information about the Clark County Crime Stoppers Program. He said it is a non-profit operated by a volunteer board of community members. The tips received do not replace what law enforcement does, but assists them in solving crimes. They do have one board member who represents law enforcement. The volunteer board fundraises and presents information about the program to the public. They also approve any rewards to be paid out locally. He said that people can be totally anonymous when reporting a tip if they don’t want any reward that might be offered. He said that the Mennonite community in our area really likes that as they want no part in a criminal investigation. If you do want the reward offered for a tip, you get a code. If someone is arrested, the code will be used to notify you so you can collect your reward. Pete said the phone line goes to Texas and they determine if a tip is legitimate.
Pete went on to talk about how Crime Stoppers got its start. He said this is the grandfather of TV stations having crime stuff on air. In July 1976 a person was shot in Albuquerque, NM. There were no witnesses to the crime. The detective involved had been a reporter prior to joining law enforcement. He came up with the idea to re-enact the crime and put it on TV to see if anyone remembered anything. He put up a reward with his own money. Within 72 hours someone gave a tip and there was an arrest. That was the beginning of the televised version of crime shows. The detective was honored by being named Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. Pete said this officer changed the U.S.
All of the funding for the program is raised through fundraisers run by the board. Pete said Clark County would like to get to the point where they can pay for re-enactments. They currently have yard signs and plans to put up signs on county roads. This will cost $8,000 for about 30 signs. In Owen, they would like to put one on each of the population signs entering the city. He said just to run the program costs $6,000-$7,000 per year. They are sending out donation letters to communities and businesses. They are asking the smaller communities to donate $250. Pete said that former sheriff Scott Haines was a driving force in getting this going. Crime Stoppers has a 95% success rate in convictions from tips they receive.
Pete said he was there to make the council aware of the program which started about six years ago in Clark County, but it kept getting kicked down the road. He said they are going to make things work and hope that it helps law enforcement. He said there is a concern about drugs in the county, including in the Mennonite community. Pete said the attitude of the Mennonite community is “We know it but we don’t want to talk about it.” So an anonymous tip line is helpful to them.
To provide a tip to Clark County Crime Stoppers, you can call 877-341-2416, report a tip online at www.p3tips.com, or download the P3Tips app.
Larry Klabon, who attended the meeting, asked how they are doing on funding. Pete said so far it is all private funding, they are looking for corporate funding, as well as asking the municipalities to help
A Temporary License was issued for the O-W Lions Ice Fishing Contest. Sandi Petke will hold the operator’s license. It was stated that they must pick the license up before the event this year.
Most of what Clark County had put in their Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Ordinance was already included in city of Owen ordinances. The council approved amending their ordinance to add the additional information that was needed.
A sign advertising lots for sale in Countryside Estates was approved.
Under the Mayor’s Report, DPW Chad Smith was recognized as the Wastewater Operator of the Year. Clerk Tracy Rau read the letter nominating him. Smith said he has a great team and they were part of him getting the recognition too.
Before the disbursements were approved, questions were asked about when the current garbage contract expires.