How It All Started

Crime Stoppers of South Sound is a joint effort of private citizens, the media and local law enforcement agencies to apprehend criminals.

It was established through the joint efforts of John McCarthy, a county resident, and Commander Ed Sorger of the Lacey Police Department. They first met in 1989 and began to form the non-profit corporation. Each local law enforcement agency was asked to appoint two directors and the program began on March 1, 1991. The groups start-up costs were provided by a one-time grant from the state legislature as were other Crime Stoppers groups in the state. More than 1,200 Crime Stopper programs are now in operation in every state and several foreign countries.

Who is Involved? The local Crime Stoppers program depends on the full cooperation of the police departments of Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater and the Thurston County Sheriffs Office working closely with The Olympian, local radio stations KXXO, KGY, cable television and local citizens. An eleven member board approves the rewards and raises the funds for its operation. No government funds are used. The information received and other activities are coordinated by officers of one of the above law enforcement agencies.