Crime Stoppers returns to Elkhart after a record-breaking fundraiser last fall

Michiana Crime Stoppers, which addresses increasingly unsolved crimes in the Elkhart area, is coming to Elkhart once again to raise money for tipsters.

Although the nonprofit was founded in 1983 as South Bend Area Crime Stoppers, it changed its name to “Michiana” Crime Stoppers in 2010.

South Bend police Lt. Kayla Miller, who runs the program, said the name change highlights the fact that Crime Stoppers has served a 12-county region since its inception.

Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to an arrest. This money comes from corporate sponsorships and paper shredding events in the spring and fall. You can bring your unwanted and sensitive documents for secure on-site destruction through Integra Certified Document Destruction.

The second-ever Elkhart shredding event will be held Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at Southgate Crossing in Elkhart, near County Road 26 and State Road 19. Last year’s event raised more money than any other fall shredding event ever.

It is a thoroughfare so you can remain in your vehicle. Lt. Miller says you’ll be asked to make a donation of at least $20.

“It is critical for us to have a large turnout,” Miller said. “If we can’t raise enough money through our events, we won’t be able to pay out rewards. I don’t say that because we want to scare anyone, but at the same time, it’s important for us to be able to rely on our community for these events.”