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Wednesday Sunrise Weather 5/22/13
ECISD Crime Stoppers has Students Holding Each Other Accountable 2/22/13
Tatum Guinn
CBS 7 News Reporter
February 22, 2013
tguinn@cbs7.com
Odessa - This week a Crime Stoppers tip lead officers to find a gun at an Odessa school.
CBS 7 spent the day looking into the Crime Stoppers program in ECISD. The program allows students to leave tips on anything from bullying to guns.
The program is one of the most successful in the state, with students policing students.
“We get a few drug tips, we'll get some bullying, thefts and occasional weapon," Jeff Daniels, ECISD police officer said.
You'd be surprised to know that all of this happens inside our schools, but the Crime Stoppers program is cracking down on these incidents to stop them from happening.
"Anytime a student sees drugs, we get a lot of info about drugs on the campus," officer Daniels said."It's students helping keep their own campus safe."
With only one or two officers on each campus at a time, the ECISD Police Department depends on the students to report anything suspicious.
"It's a bonus for the officers and for the campus. It really keeps it safe," officer Daniels said.
Some students we spoke with agreed.
"So we can stop the trouble and crime that's been going on lately. It's to make a better place for us," student Dakota Perry said.
"You don't have to worry that someone is going to come after you or try to hurt you because you did the right thing," student Savannah Poor said.
However some thought otherwise.
"Friends turning in friends, they do it just for the money," student Cassandra said.
"It just turns people against each other," student Rose said.
In any case, officer Daniels says if you see something, say something.
Since 1994, Crime Stoppers has made more than 1300 arrests. The program has paid out more than $46,000 in rewards and has recovered $250,000 in property and drugs.