Silent Observer raises funds with sporting goods raffle | News
CADILLAC – Silent Observer, which operates in Wexford, Missaukee and Osceola counties, is continuing its fundraising efforts with a sporting goods raffle and community event.
As a non-profit organization, Silent Observer works exclusively with public donations, grants and fundraising. Cadillac Area Silent Observer President Vance Edwards said community support is critical to stopping crime in affected counties.
“We don’t have any paid employees at all,” Edwards said. “We’ve never had paid employees, so we’re operating on an annual budget of about $8,000 a year, and that pays our phone lines, or what we call the P3 program.”
P3 stands for Police, Public and Private and represents the organization’s mission to connect law enforcement with the community to stop crime. Citizens can use the Silent Observer anonymous tip hotline to report possible criminal activity in their neighborhood. If the information provided leads to an arrest, the tipster can receive up to $5,000.
Edwards said tips are reviewed monthly by Cadillac’s Silent Observer Board. Board members include current and retired law enforcement officers, as well as citizens who have law enforcement connections. Time spent reviewing and tracking tips is also not paid.
Raffle tickets are available now for $10 each and all proceeds will be used to financially support the Silent Observer program. A drawing will take place on Saturday, October 1st during an all day fundraiser at the Tails-A-Waggin Hunting Preserve in Marion. The event begins at 8:00 am and ends at 4:00 pm with the announcement of the raffle winners
Prizes for first, second and third place winners include an R10 Ravin crossbow (first), an ATI Over-Under 12 gauge shotgun (second) and a 450 BM Ruger rifle (third). Tickets are available from law enforcement agencies in Wexford, Missaukee and Osceola counties, as well as from several local businesses including Thirsty’s, Pizza Plus, Untamed Archery and The Village Grille.
Edwards and his Silent Observer staff will also be selling tickets from their community outreach trailer, which will be used to promote Silent Observer at special events.
Regarding the success rate, Edwards said that every four to five tips received result in an arrest. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Edwards reported receiving an average of about 33 tips per month. Since the pandemic began, the numbers have dwindled to about 10 tips per month. While financial support is welcome, Edwards said taking action and seeking advice is just as valuable, if not more so.
“We work very lean, but we are very effective,” he said. “And our plan is to continue promoting the program, and any way we can encourage more participation in receiving anonymous tips is our goal.”