Kansas Crime Stoppers Chapter Wins Three National Awards at Historic 50th Anniversary Conference
Finn's Take· TL;DR- Hutchinson's Crime Stoppers won three national awards at Crime Stoppers USA's 50th anniversary conference, including PSA and social media honors for community outreach innovation.
- Board member Elaine Cloyd received an inaugural Impact Award for her decades-long dedication since 1987, helping advance Crime Stoppers programs nationally.
- The small Kansas program's recognition against major metro competitors demonstrates how volunteer-driven grassroots organizations can set national standards for crime-fighting effectiveness.
A Small Kansas Town Makes a Big Impression on the National Stage
A volunteer-driven crime-fighting organization from Hutchinson, Kansas, walked away from a landmark national gathering with three separate honors — a remarkable showing that put a spotlight on how a local program can punch well above its weight. Crime Stoppers of Reno County recently received two national awards at Crime Stoppers USA's 50th anniversary national conference at the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City, Virginia. The milestone event marked half a century of anonymous tip programs working to make communities across the country safer.
Representing both Crime Stoppers of Reno County, Inc., and the Kansas Crime Stoppers Association were Hutchinson residents Elaine Cloyd and Jackie Ashcraft. For a relatively small county program to earn recognition on this stage — competing against organizations from major metro areas nationwide — speaks volumes about the quality of work happening in south-central Kansas.
Two Program Awards Highlight Innovation and Outreach
The organization was recognized for its Television Public Service Announcement (PSA), produced in partnership with KWCH-TV, and received a Social Media Award for their innovative approach that helped increase public awareness, community engagement, and support for the Crime Stoppers mission. These two awards reflect a deliberate strategy to reach the public where they are — both on local television and across digital platforms.
Both award-winning initiatives were spearheaded by board member and Social Media/Publicity Chair Megan Clary. The dual recognition underscores how effective outreach isn't just about getting the word out — it's about building trust with a community so that people feel safe enough to come forward with information. Crime Stoppers of Reno County encourages members of the community to assist local law enforcement in the fight against crime by overcoming the two key elements that inhibit community involvement: fear and apathy.
A Founding-Level Honor for a Decades-Long Advocate
In addition to the program's national recognition, Elaine Cloyd, a member of the Crime Stoppers USA Board of Directors and a presenter at the conference, received one of the organization's inaugural Impact Awards. This was not a routine trophy. According to Cheryl Sinacola, Chair of the Crime Stoppers USA Board of Directors, the Impact Award is a Chairman's Choice honor created to recognize those whose contributions have extended well beyond their local communities.
"The Impact Award showcases individuals who have dedicated a lifetime of experience and expertise to all Crime Stoppers programs, not just their own, to advance the mission of solving crimes through anonymous tips and who have helped push Crime Stoppers beyond what anyone envisioned it could be," said Sinacola. Cloyd's record bears that out. She was an incorporating board member of Crime Stoppers USA in 2004 and has been actively involved in her home program, Reno County Crime Stoppers, since 1987.
Why This Matters Beyond Kansas
In 2026, Crime Stoppers USA celebrated 50 years of empowering anonymous reporting and building safer communities across the nation. The anniversary is a reminder of how consequential the anonymous tip model has become. Crime Stoppers encourages members of the community to assist local law enforcement by overcoming fear and apathy, receives tips anonymously via phone, mobile app, and text messaging, and callers remain eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $1,000 if their information leads to an arrest or grand jury indictment.
Reno County's triple-award performance at this milestone conference is a signal that grassroots programs — run by volunteers, funded by community donations, and powered by local partnerships — can set the standard for the entire country. As Crime Stoppers USA looks ahead to its next 50 years, the blueprint being built in Hutchinson may well serve as a model for programs nationwide looking to modernize their outreach and deepen their community roots.