Anti-violence effort starts

Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa Inc.’s 2012 Anti-Violence Paper Ribbon Campaign will run at various businesses throughout the year, organizers said.

Crime Stoppers has partnered with Hammond P.J.’s Coffee to make the project possible. The campaign will run through July 15.

The anti-violence paper ribbons can be purchased at the Hammond, Loranger and Independence Piggly Wiggly locations.

The ribbons can also be purchased online at http://www.facebook.com/tangicrimestoppers or http://www.tangicrimestoppers.com via PayPal. All proceeds from this campaign will benefit Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa, Inc.

The paper ribbons are purple, the anti-violence color, and can be purchased in memory of a crime victim, in honor of a person that has been touched by crime in some way, or as a pledge of advocacy against crime in our community.

Donors whose paper ribbons are purchased online can download, print and display them in their home or place of business.

“We cannot successfully prevent crime and provide our programs without the support of our local businesses and the community at large.” said Jodie Powell, Crimestoppers chief executive officer and executive director.

Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works in partnership with the community, media and law enforcement to publicize and solve crimes.

The public can anonymously call, text or leave tip information online about unsolved crimes, suspicious activity, or to give information about wanted individuals.

To share a tip, call [phone] or visit http://www.tangicrimestoppers.com. Youth can call the juvenile tip line at [phone] anonymously to report underage drinking, drugs at school, youth drinking and driving, bullying, and any other youth-related information.

In addition to the anonymous tip line, Crime Stoppers provides Neighborhood Watch and Business Watch start-up meetings and materials, community tip line signs, student Crime Stoppers Program/K.E.Y.S. (Keeping Every Youth Safe) Alliance and more to Tangipahoa and St. Helena residents.

Crime Stoppers also offers free public safety events to promote crime prevention, raise awareness, to promote crime free and drug free youth, and public safety agency partnerships, such as Night Out Against Crime and the End of School Summer Safety Bash.

For more information on hosting a fundraiser or becoming a sponsor of Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa contact Jodie Powell at [phone] or [e-mail].