Annual Training Conference For Community Policing Begins
By Lois Gormley, The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, Calif.)
PALM SPRINGS -- Crime Stoppers representatives from throughout the state and Canada gathered in Palm Springs on Thursday for a two-day annual training conference.
The Coachella Valley chapter played host to the California Crime Stoppers 2004 annual training conference, titled “Back to Basics,” at The Courtyard By Marriott in Palm Springs.
“Community policing goes back to the Old West,” said Palm Springs Police Chief Gary Jeandron during his welcoming remarks. “If crooks came into town, you rounded up the posse. I look at you in a way as the modern day posse. The police department and the sheriff´s department, we look to the community for help.”
Jeandron was joined at the opening ceremonies by fellow valley police chiefs Stan Henry, Brad Ramos and Roy Hill, of the Cathedral City, Indio and Desert Hot Springs police departments.
Assemblyman John Benoit, R-Palm Desert, was scheduled to be the keynote speaker Thursday but was called away to Sacramento unexpectedly, said Mick Barnhill, Valley Crime Stoppers executive director.
A letter from Benoit welcomed the representatives and applauded the efforts of the local chapter, which has helped solve more than 700 crimes and paid out more than $90,000 in rewards.
“This conference serves as a wonderful opportunity for representatives of California Crime Stoppers chapters to share experiences and success stories and help achieve safer communities throughout the state of California,” Benoit wrote.
Jerry Adams, president of the California Peace Officers Association and Lodi police chief, filled in for Benoit, urging participants to take full advantage of the training and continue to push forward with their efforts to make their communities safer.
The former president of California Crime Stoppers reminded them to think globally as well as locally.
“Crime Stoppers could be that organization that thwarts the next terrorist attack,” Adams said. “This is a worldwide effort and you are part of it.”
Locally, the chapter enjoys the full support of area law enforcement.
“I´m personally 100 percent supportive of the organization,” Henry said. “It does some excellent work.”
He said it allows people who don´t want their names involved for fear of retaliation a way to give police the information they need to arrest criminals and solve cases. It also gives those individuals an opportunity to collect a reward, Henry said.
Cathedral City Detective Sgt. Earl Moss, who works closely with with the local Crime Stoppers organization, said it is active in letting the community know how to utilize its services.
“Mick Barnhill works really hard to get the name out to the community and keep it in the forefront,” Moss said.