The 25th annual Virginia Crime Stoppers Association Conference was in Natural Bridge, Virginia over the weekend. Representatives from Crime Stoppers, Crime Solvers and Crime Line organizations all across the Commonwealth attended the three day event to share ideas and discuss concerns.

Three members of the Winchester Frederick Clarke Crime Solvers board were there. Chairman Jim Pearce says he brought back a lot of information that will help in local crime-fighting efforts.

"There have been some very good speakers. We can use some of the stuff about leveraging the media and using the media to get the word out about Crime Solvers and the Crime of the Week. We have a great relationship with the media in Winchester, we have the Crime of the Week going once a week in the newspapers, TV and radios," Pearce said.

Other seminar topics included how to efficiently take calls on the Crime Solvers Hotline, budget issues, and creating and maintaining successful Crime Solvers and Crime Line organizations in area high schools.

"They (students) hear rumors, they see things, they know what is going on and then when they bring that knowledge to school with them and they hear over the announcements or see a poster for Crime Solvers in their school, they realize they have the right to use the Crime Solvers program just like anybody else," said Detective Kevin Bacon of the Chesterfield County Police Department.

If you ever have information to report on crimes in your community, call the Crime Solvers Hotline at 540-665-TIPS. If you information leads to an indictment, you could be eligible for a reward up to $1000. You can remain anonymous.

Click on the link below to see the Crime of the Week on the Winchester Frederick Clarke Crime Solvers website.