OXNARD : City Joins Forces With Crimestoppers

Oxnard has officially joined Ventura County Crimestoppers, a countywide nonprofit group offering rewards for anonymous tips that help solve serious crimes.

The program was launched last week when city leaders and Crimestoppers officials announced they had raised about $4,000 from Oxnard-area businesses to support the program.

Oxnard Police Chief Harold Hurtt said he viewed the program as an extension of his efforts to make the department more accessible to all Oxnard residents.

Several Crimestoppers officials called Oxnard’s participation an important step in helping detectives solve more crimes throughout the county.

“We’ve been looking forward to this day for a long while. We’re delighted we’re going to be able to join ranks,” said Gib Poiry, a Crimestoppers board member.

Oxnard Police Cmdr. Tom Cady said a wide range of crimes would be targeted by the program, ranging from hard-to-solve homicides to drug-related offenses.

Crimestoppers pays up to $1,000 in reward money for tips that lead to an arrest and the filing of a criminal complaint in certain felony cases.

The Ventura County chapter of the nationwide program began seven years ago. Since then, nearly 300 crimes have been solved and more than 150 people convicted as a result of tips received through Crimestoppers.

Originally, the program was limited to Thousand Oaks, but it now covers Camarillo, Moorpark and Port Hueneme.

Anyone wishing to phone in a tip to Crimestoppers in Oxnard, should call 385-TALK. The line is operated 24 hours a day.