March 02, 2009
Crimestoppers Spaghetti Dinner set for March 26
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The 17th annual Carbondale Crimestoppers Spaghetti Dinner is set for later this month.
The spaghetti dinner is from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, March 26, at Carbondale Middle School, 1150 E. Grand St.
Proceeds from the event help fund rewards for tips that lead to an arrest. Crimestoppers is very important, said Scott Miller, a police officer with the Southern Illinois University Carbondale Department of Public Safety.
“It helps us solve crimes on campus, as well, “ Miller said. “It has resulted in arrests and convictions of people to crime on campus.”
Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. The dinner includes salad, spaghetti, breadsticks, and a drink. Heartland Food Service is catering the dinner, and donating its time and the food.
Tickets are available by contacting Miller at 618/453-3771, or Carbondale Police Officer Randy Mathis at 618/457-3200, ext. 428. Crimestoppers board members will sell advance tickets from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, March 21, at Kroger’s, 501 N. Giant City Road, Carbondale. Tickets are also available at the door the night of the dinner.
Students from the SIUC Suzuki Strings and the John Thomas Strings programs will provide the evening’s music. A community symposium on Carbondale’s comprehensive plan starts at 7 p.m. after the dinner. The Carbondale Human Relations Commission will also honor SIUC and Carbondale police officers and telecommunicators for their service.
The proceeds go to help fund Carbondale Crimestoppers, a not-for-profit organization that helps fight crime in the Carbondale area. The community program involves the public, media, and the SIUC and Carbondale police departments.
Tips leading to an arrest are eligible for cash rewards up to $1,000. Since its inception in 1993, the Crimestoppers’ program has paid more than $30,000 for information resulting in the arrests of people for crimes including attempted murder, drug dealing, armed robbery, outstanding warrants, and burglary.
Businesses wishing to contribute door prizes to the spaghetti dinner may contact Miller or Mathis.
Additional information on the program is available at the Carbondale Crimestoppers’ Web site, http://www.carbondalecrimestoppers.siu.edu or the Carbondale Police Department Web site, http://www.carbondalepolice.com/