Crime Stoppers in San Angelo Host Running with the Blue

Yesterday, at the San Angelo Police Department, the first Running with the Blue 5K took place. Though the weather wasn’t on their side, about 100 runners came out and participated in the run, including county clerks, lawyers, the San Angelo Police Department SWAT, police officers, and many more.

San Angelo Crime Stoppers organized the event to raise money and awareness for the Crime Stoppers program. Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization of citizens against crime. The program is separate from the emergency telephone number system or other standard methods of contacting police. It allows a member of the community to provide anonymous information about criminal activity. Also, Crime Stoppers offer cash rewards up to $1,000.00 to anyone furnishing anonymous information that leads to an arrest of a criminal or criminals, including those committing serious felony crimes and fugitives.

Having the race during this week was a perfect time for local law enforcement, for they are celebrating National Police Week. Thus, this was a great time for people to come out and show their support for local law enforcement, while enjoying some exercise and a spaghetti dinner after the race.

Linda Ashton, president of the Crime Stoppers San Angelo board, said, “We wanted to do this fundraiser through National Police Week so we can raise awareness and show appreciation for the officers in our community.”

The race began at the San Angelo Police Department. There were two, a mile run and the 5K. During the 5K, the SWAT team and new cadets training to join the police force had a fun and competitive race. The winners and of each race won a prize and bragging rights. The SWAT team had all their men pass the finish lines before the rookies.

“We all came in pretty strong,” said a SWAT team member, commenting on the race. “We had everyone on our team make it before the rookies, but it was pretty close there for awhile.”

Within 45 minutes of starting, the race finished, and everyone who registered and ran, crossed the finish line. Police motorcycles escorted some of the runners in with their sirens wailing. The final runners had all the officers escorting them. They were the officers blocking the roads for the races.

Ravae Garcia, a freshman high school student, ran the race with her friend, Faith Gutierrez. They both ran the 5K and came across the finish line at 22.30.

“My mom works for the Police Department, and she thought it was important for us to come out and support the law enforcement in our community,” said Ravae.

The runners also got to eat some pasta and snacks after their run. The Central High School culinary class prepared the food and donations were appreciated, though it was free for the people who participated in the run. Some officers let the children at the event push the siren buttons on their bikes and talk to them about what they do in the San Angelo community.

Kayce Thomson, the Crime Stoppers Coordinator, said, “We did this to raise awareness and show that Crime Stoppers is still here. And what better week to do it than Police Week, to show everyone that we support law enforcement?”

Overall, it was a competitive but fun day for the people who participated in Running with the Blue.