Newcastle PD starts tip line

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
With an increase in vehicular burglaries, active warrants for individuals in the area and past experience using tip lines, Newcastle Police Chief Sam Keller says he worked with Sheriff Bryan Colvard to implement a tip line for local crime. 
“It is something that the agency I worked for did several years ago. It allows a person to remain anonymous; therefore, people tend to be more forthcoming with information that may help law enforcement,” Keller said. “Sheriff Colvard and I discussed it, and with there being active arrest warrants for Donald Jenerou, it seemed like a great time to roll it out.” 
Jenerou, who is wanted for bond revocation, has been avoiding arrest on several warrants for the past several weeks. On July 1, the Weston County Sheriff’s Department issued a formal request to the public seeking information leading to Jenerou’s arrest.
“Weston County law enforcement is seeking the public’s help for information that might lead to Jenerou’s whereabouts and apprehension,” the wanted poster says. “If anyone has any information on where we might find Jenerou, please call our tip line at 307-746-3804; you may remain anonymous if you wish.” 
According to Keller, Jenerou’s bond of $25,000 for four different incidents and $5,000 for another two incidents were revoked after he left a treatment facility he agreed to remain at and did not return to the Weston County Detention Center. The crimes associated with the bonds include four burglaries, one theft and probation revocation. 
Currently there are two active warrants associated with the bond revocations with an extradition area of Wyoming and surrounding states. 
The tip line can also be used to anonymously report other crime information. 
Keller said that with an apparent increase in vehicle burglaries in Newcastle, the line could also lead to information that could help law enforcement apprehend a suspect. (He also noted that it would be wise for residents to lock their vehicles and take valuable items out of their cars.) 
Although the police department is operating the tip line, Keller said, the line is for all of Weston County to use. 
“It is a police department phone line that is checked several times a day to see if anyone has left a message,” Keller said. “If the message is for the Weston County Sheriff’s Office or Upton Police Department, the Newcastle Police Department forwards that information to the appropriate agency,” Keller said. 
The tip line carries no additional charge to the departments, according to Keller. He explained that the line is for an already existing extension that was not being used. 
“Labor-wise, the line is in a common area inside the police department; all officers have or are going to be receiving training on how to retrieve and disburse the information to the proper department,” he said. 
Keller said he hopes the tip line will help increase communication between the public and local law enforcement. 
The tip line, he said, is part of an effort to “establish multiple avenues for the public to interact with us and get them to understand that we can’t be everywhere all the time.”
According to Keller, the department is exploring using a text tip line in the future.
“We need their eyes and ears to help us make our community better,” he said.