(Seguin) — Guadalupe County is applauding a local non-profit organization for its around the clock assistance in helping to solve crime. The Guadalupe County Commissioners Court recently recognized the Guadalupe County Crime Stoppers Program for its continued efforts to creatively and effectively assist law enforcement in their investigation of crimes throughout the county.
This year’s recognition by the court, however, also included the honoring of the program’s chairman Ken Kiel. After leading the program for the last 10 years, Kiel has decided to step down from the Crime Stoppers board of directors.
Calling what he describes as “tough shoes to fill is new Board Chairman David Reiley. Reiley says thanks to Kiel, Crime Stoppers has not only proven successful on a local level but it has also garnered plenty of recognition across the state.
“He was actually involved before that I believe it was Secret Witness Program and Ken has done a fabulous job fundraising and getting the word out in the community, getting involved with organizations to make it what it is today. A couple of years ago, Ken had the bright idea and our board joined in with him that we were going to put together conventions, our State Crime Stoppers Convention two years in a row in Guadalupe County and while I haven’t been on here as long as Ken has, I’ve been to several of those conventions throughout the state and I can honestly say that I think our two were the best ones that I’ve ever attended from the sessions that we had, the speakers that we had, the organization of the event, everything went pretty much perfect with very few skips along the way,” said Reiley.
Among those on hand to publicly thank Kiel for his many years of service of helping to fight crime was Guadalupe County Sheriff Arnold Zwicke. Zwicke says throughout his 10 plus years of leadership, Kiel never once slowed down in the fight to help solve crime.
“When you look at over a half a million dollars in tips that we recovered property and drugs that were seized, 83 arrests. I looked at the state numbers for the last year and looking at a county our size, it’s pretty awesome what you and Crime Stoppers has done,” said Zwicke.
Also acknowledging his efforts was Commissioner Drew Engelke. Engelke says Kiel deserves plenty of applause.
“Ken I truly appreciate your service and thank you again for what you have done for the Crime Stoppers Program,” said Engelke.
Commissioner Cope says the growth of the program over the years has been a strong support system for law enforcement. She says not every community can say that.
“I truly appreciate the fact that Crime Stoppers has really done so much to help solve crime and to help give justice to the people who really need and that has meant a lot to this county and I know they depend on ya’ll a lot,” said Cope.
Guadalupe County Judge Kyle Kutscher says the county is lucky to have someone like Kiel and appreciates his seriousness about helping to make this community a safer place to live, work and play.
“With Ken, we he cares about something, he puts his whole heart and everything he has in to it and it’s been proven over the years with Crime Stoppers, your commitment. Knowing you, I know there were lots of evenings and nights laying awake with a note pad, going ‘hey, what can we do, how can we get this done?’ I think when someone said it can’t be done, it lit a fire under Ken,” said Kutscher. “Thank you again for the support that you show law enforcement.”
Realizing Kiel’s impact on the program, Reiley says he looks forward to doing his best to carry the organization forward. He says the first thing for him is to thank all the various law enforcement officials who continue to work side by side with Crime Stoppers.
“I’d also like to thank the law enforcement of Guadalupe County, the sheriff’s department, Schertz Police Department, Cibolo Police Department as well as our Seguin Police Department for all the work that they do and helping to get our word out to those people that there are anonymous tips that could be made — (that they can) receive an award for those tips as well,” said Reiley.
Kiel says he is honored to have been a part of the Crime Stoppers Program and is confident that the program will continue stronger than ever.
“We went from an organization that was a sponge. We’d go to state conferences and Arnold went to the first state conference with me and some other members to Abilene and it was eye opening. We became sponges and sponges and I think it was in Beaumont probably about four or five years ago, all of a sudden I noticed us — we were not the sponges anymore. People were coming up to us. Whenever we went to conferences, we had a shirt of the day that we wore. We walked in like a team. We sat at the table. We looked professional so all of a sudden, people were looking to us for answers so that was neat,” said Kiel.
In his quest to continue the success of the program, Reiley says it’s important that they continue to explain to residents on how the program works.
“Speaking of tips and how can one go about doing that, it’s kind of a long website but our website is guadalupecountycrimestoppers.
He says the program also remains vital for shedding light on unsolved cases and for assisting youth across the county.
“Other ways you can help is go to our website or Facebook page and look at some of the cold cases, unsolved cases that are in Guadalupe County. If you know of any information, contact the Crime Stoppers website or the tip line and submit that as well. I’d also like to mention that along with our Guadalupe County Crime Stoppers for the community, we are also involved with the schools in the county as well. We started a program a couple of years ago where they can use the P3 app to submit tips on their mobile device through the school and then they can get help accordingly whether it’s a mental health issue, whether it’s a crime that they have seen committed but we are also trying to branch out into all of the schools in the county so that they have the opportunity to submit those tips as well,” said Reiley.
Since 2010, Guadalupe Crime Stoppers has received 1,581 tips — tips which all have led to 58 arrests and have helped to clear 83 cases. It’s also led to $555,138 in drugs seized and property recovered. In total, the Guadalupe Crime Stoppers Board has approved $15,785 in rewards with $12,775 going to tipsters.
Anyone who has information regarding a crime and wishes to remain anonymous are asked to contact the Guadalupe County Crime Stoppers at 877-403-TIPS (8477). They can also submit a tip online at www.gccsTIPS.com or via the P3 Tips app.