Bartlett seeks donations for Crimestoppers fund

A tough economy and a lack of fundraising have depleted the Bartlett Crimestoppers’ coffers to about $500.

Beverly Holmgren, president of the Bartlett nonprofit group, said Monday that, for now, they are hoping for donations to help replenish the account. Fundraising would be the next step in the effort.

Money for the program comes from private donations, not city funds. The Bartlett Crimestoppers is separate from the similar group in Memphis.

“The economy affects everything,” Holmgren said. “We’ve been really low-profile. Bartlett is pretty safe for the most part, so we’ve not been real active (raising money).”

Over the past 10 years, the program has issued about $10,000 for infor- mation that helped solve Bartlett crimes. Lt. Todd Halford of the Bartlett police said the department doles out $50 or $100 rewards for information on some crimes, such as fraud where the department publishes a surveillance photo of someone using a stolen credit card. The maximum $ 1,000 amount is dedicated for much more serious crimes such as the arrest of Joe Caronna in the slaying of his wife, Tina.

“We’ve got $500 left, so one tip, and it could be gone,” Holmgren said.

The department posted a notice about the diminishing funds on its Facebook page Friday. Chief Gary Rikard’s office already had received $175 in new donations as of Monday afternoon.

Anyone interested can bring or mail their donation to the Bartlett Police Department, 3730 Appling Road, Bartlett, Tenn., 38133.