Golfers tee off against crime at Susan B. Cranford Tournament in Burnet
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
BURNET — Duffers can hit the greens and fairways March 22 in an effort to stomp out crime when the Susan B. Cranford Tournament returns to Delaware Springs Municipal Golf Course.
“This is the 17th year for the tournament, which benefits the Hill Country Area Crime Stoppers,” HCACS coordinator Janie Prew said. “We get a big turnout from our local law enforcement officers and agencies, but we also see lots of folks who just want to help out.”
The event tees off 1 p.m. at the course, 600 Delaware Springs Blvd. The entry fee is $60.
The local arm of the Texas Game Wardens Association is once again cooking up steaks for the participants.
The tournament’s name comes from a longtime supporter of the organization and the woman who suggested the event, Prew said.
The HCACS provides tips for area law enforcement agencies. People with information can call the Crime Stoppers line at 1-866-756-TIPS (8477) and provide anonymous tips about crimes. They also can go to www.hcacrimestoppers.com with their tips.
The HCACS passes those tips to the proper agency.
Burnet County Sheriff W.T. Smith said the organization plays a vital role in law enforcement and fighting crime.
“We get a lot of tips from Crime Stoppers, a lot dealing with drug activity,” Smith said. “We look at all those tips that come in and verify them. But they provide us with a tremendous resource and information.”
Smith said the beauty of the system is callers remain anonymous, even if they qualify for a cash reward through HCACS.
“No one will know who you are. You won’t have to make any court appearances,” he said. “There’s no caller ID, and nobody traces the phone calls. It’s a big help for us and other law enforcement agencies.”
Prew said because of Crime Stoppers tips, law enforcement agencies have made progress in several high-profile crimes, including the Kingsland bank robbery, the Kingsland arsons and the 2002 Lake Buchanan boating fatality that eventually ended with a man pleading guilty in 2012.
To register for the tournament, call the golf course at (512) 756-8471. People also can donate money to HCACS by going to its website listed above.
daniel@thepicayune.com