Richmond County Crime Stoppers holding fundraiser Friday

HAMLET — Richmond County Crime Stoppers is gearing up for its third-annual Kick-Off to Summer.

The free water-filled fun-day is slated for 4-7 p.m. Friday, June 14 and will feature a waterslide in Main Street Park and the Hamlet Fire Department’s Super Soaker in the parking lot, with the police department selling snow cones.

There will also be a 50/50 raffle and tickets are being sold for donated prizes, including two kayaks and several loaded gift baskets.

“The community really showed up this year,” said Mechelle Preslar, secretary of R.C. Crime Stoppers.

The organization will also be handing out stickers, sunglasses and other freebies, and there will be a special appearance by McGruff the Crime Dog.

Crime Stoppers is an all-volunteer organization that is supported through donations, grants and fundraisers to pay out rewards for anonymous tips through the P3 app leading to arrests for local crimes.

In 2023, Crime Stoppers was awarded a $5,000 grant from Pee Dee Electric and was the recipient of proceeds from a WCEW wrestling event.. Earlier this week, the organization received $750 from the Rockingham Rotary Club.

Financial support also comes from the Rockingham and Hamlet police departments and Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

According to treasurer Mary Elizabeth Davis, Crime Stoppers had three tips last year with payouts totalling $1,400 — but the tipsters didn’t take the money. One of those cases involved an infant found dead on the railroad tracks in East Rockingham.

The organization also uses its funds to purchase merchandise to pass out in the community, as well as signs in neighborhoods and schools.

Last year, Richmond County Crime Stoppers was honored at the state level for having the most innovative fundraiser.

The event will coincide with Hamlet’s TGIFriday Food Trucks and Cruise-In.