Xplorers players to help in "Most Wanted" telecast tomorrow

Published on May 4, 2004 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release


MEMPHIS, Tenn.—Stopping touchdowns, stopping tackles, stopping passes—Memphis Xplorers football players are good at stopping things. In fact, they will help stop crime by participating in the Crime Stoppers "Mid-South's Most Wanted" telecast during the 9-10 p.m. Fox 13 news show on Wednesday, May 5.

The program will air at breaks in the newscast. Diligent citizens in the community who have information or suspicions about crimes committed in their area are encouraged to call in anonymously on a special 24-hour hotline and get cash rewards for information that results in arrests.

"We're just trying to help out where we can," Xplorers head coach Danton Barto said. "It's not a lot, but we definitely believe in the program and anything we can do to help, we will. We want to help bring justice to the victims of crime and protect the children in our neighborhoods."

To phone in a tip to Crime Stoppers, citizens may call 901-528-CASH or 662-429-TIPS. There's no need to identify themselves; they will receive their own secret personal ID number, which they may use when they call back to find out if the police made an arrest and how to collect their reward.

Until a few years ago, Crime Stoppers' income and reward payouts were roughly in balance. Recently, however, as crime increases, the organization is receiving more calls.

For every $1 paid in rewards for tips, Crime Stoppers recovers $12 in stolen property. A full-scale police investigation of a mystery murder costs at least $50,000. So when one phone call solves a murder quickly, taxpayers save big. Interested citizens can make tax-deductible donations by calling 901-327-6374.

The Crime Stoppers program has enjoyed great success, boasting an average conviction rate of 95 percent on cases solved by Crime Stoppers' tips. The Crime Stoppers programs worldwide have solved more than a half a million crimes and recovered more than $3 billion worth of stolen property and narcotics in 28 years.

The Xplorers' participation in the Crime Stoppers segment is part of their "Salute to Hometown Heroes," which will culminate in events at this weekend's game on May 8. Two dollars of every ticket sold in the interest of local police departments will go to the Fallen Officers Fund for the late Lt. Greg Medlin. Two dollars of every ticket sold in the interest of fire departments will benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

In addition, local police will provide a color guard and national anthem singer before the game, and a S.W.A.T. team will deliver the game ball. Representatives of fire departments will have a booth on the concourse, where they will pass out plastic firemen's hats while supplies last. Firemen will also "fill the boot" for M.D.A. at the West Entrance of the DeSoto Civic Center, where KIX 106 FM will broadcast live from remote.

To support the police and fire departments and their charitable efforts by buying tickets to the Xplorers May 8 game at 7 p.m. at the DeSoto Civic Center, call 662-393-3761.

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