“Dedicated to the prevention of crime and the enforcement of criminal laws.”

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

The Wichita Crime Commission was organized in 1952 as a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan group of business and professional men and women, whose goal was to prevent the entrenchment of organized crime in the community and to encourage greater interest by the public in the prevention of crime and the enforcement of criminal laws. The history of the Crime commission, since 1952, has been one of cooperation with local, state and federal agencies and other citizen’s groups engaged in the fight against crime. Simultaneously, the organization has acted as “Watchdog” over those, who by law, are responsible for the protection of life and property. The Wichita Crime Commission is not a law enforcement agency. It is an organization comprised of concerned citizens who exercise the right to investigate community conditions and work to improve those areas, which are deemed to be unacceptable. Current projects include:

• Cosponsor of the largest annual Gang and Drug Training Conference offered to law enforcement officers in the Midwest;

• Cosponsor of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Annual Law Camp which is designed to present a positive criminal justice message to more than 200 “at risk” young people;

• Taking public positions for and against proposed legislation related to criminal justice issues;

• Coordinating the very successful “Make Good Choices” program by underwriting the cost of transportation to expose “at risk” young people to the reality of prison life;

• Conducting monthly informational luncheon meetings at which Commission members are briefed by high ranking criminal justice officials;

• Serving on the Board of Directors of the Wichita/Sedgwick County Crime Stoppers and as a charter member, continuing to help develop ways in which the program can become more effective;

• Conducting in depth studies into projects which need public input, i.e. police response time, sentencing guide lines, city/county consolidation;

• Monitoring high profile criminal court cases;

• Organizing and producing an annual awards dinner at which a forum is provided to pay tribute and tell the story of outstanding performances by greater Wichita area law enforcement professionals;

• Serving as community advisors to the Regional Community Police Training Institute at Wichita State University.

• Working closely with USD 259 and Student Resource Officers to provide support for ongoing student related programs.

• Working with Wichita Police and Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Crime Prevention units to assist in getting information to the public.

The Crime Commission is funded 100% by membership contributions. It has been designated by the Internal Revenue Service as a Not-for-Profit Organization with 501 © 3 status, therefore identifying contributions as tax deductible. As a private, volunteer driven not-for-profit citizen’s organization, the Commission embodies the essential alliance and partnership between the public and private sectors concerned about crime.


LOGO SYMBOLISM

The logo,developed by Mr. Bob Neace in 1988, is symbolic of the organization’s total image.  

“The stylized W for Wichita defines the organization’s parameters

of influence.”

“Twelve gold bars symbolize the 12 founders and form the eagle’s

wingspan.  Gold is the standard by which value is measured and the value

of justice is golden.”

“The eagle soars above the surface of everyday activities.  The panoramic

view is vital to the gathering of information and the eagle’s role is to watch, to

observe and to analyze from a central position yet aloof from the arena.”

“The eagle is a keen-eyed, hardy, independent creature; recognized and

respected as a law-and-order symbol.”