ANNUAL REPORT

CRIME SOLVERS OF THE UPPER EASTERN SHORE, INC.

Crime Solvers of the Upper Eastern Shore, Inc. was organized in 1996 by a group of Kent County business persons and concerned citizens to offer community support to the local law enforcement agencies. A Constitution, By-Laws, and Articles of Incorporation were all approved, and a Board of Directors and Officers were elected. Crime Solvers is interested in assisting the local law enforcement agencies in obtaining information about felony crimes, wanted persons, and other criminal activity. We hope to heighten public awareness of the impact of crime and we hope to motivate community members to cooperate with law enforcement agencies. Nine (9) citizens serve on the Board of Directors and there are four (4) ex-officio members. Crime Solvers of the Upper Eastern Shore, Inc. was approved for 501(c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service which makes all individual contributions and donations deductible from federal income tax as charitable contributions.

A special telephone line was established, 778-4444, and operates on a 24 hour basis. It is answered Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is connected to an answering machine at all other times. Local police provide Crime Solvers with a "Kent's Most Wanted" list and information on unsolved crimes in the area is published in the KENT COUNTY NEWS and THE TIDEWATER TRADER as a community service. It is also broadcast on WCTR as a community service. Crime Solvers pays up to $1000 in cash rewards for information which leads to an arrest or apprehension of wanted persons and is set up to assure anonymity to citizens who call in.

As of January 1, 1997, Crime Solvers had twenty-four (24) calls in response to the "Most Wanted" lists. Twenty-six (26) of the 'Most Wanted' were apprehended - three (3) were apprehended from caller information and twenty-three (23) turned themselves in after seeing or hearing that they were wanted. Kent County Sheriff John F. Price recently wrote: ...'The efforts of the members of the Crime Solvers of the Upper Eastern Shore, Inc. are to be commended. As you know, Kent County is a nice place to live and raise a family. I am committed to keeping our County safe, and with the help of your organization, I am confident that we can insure all citizens of Kent County a safer environment..." Mr. Albert T. Streelman, Field Supervisor for the Maryland Division of Parole and Probation, recently wrote: "...I would like to congratulate you and your Board of Directors for the impact you are having with regard to the apprehension of some of Kent County's 'most wanted' offenders ... Your efforts have had a significant impact to date on helping our agency resolve a number of older warrants for violation of probation which heretofore have gone unserved. We anticipate even more activity on these kinds of warrants in the future..."

Crime Solvers would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed to getting this program started. Your continued support would be greatly appreciated. Contributions may be sent to Crime Solvers of the Upper Eastern Shore, Inc., P. 0. Box 237, Chestertown, Maryland 21620.