SAVOY, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers is awarding leaders across the community for their service.
This year marks the organization’s 39th year. To celebrate, they invited about 50 people to attend the annual meeting.
Crime Stoppers have significantly impacted the community. Since January of the previous year, they’ve achieved 55 arrests, resolved 48 cases, and recovered 25 weapons. On Thursday, they also took a moment to honor a community leader.
“Oh, happy day! It’s amazing to be acknowledged for your actions, even when you don’t realize people are observing — but they are,” expressed Minnie Pearson, President of the NAACP.
Meet NAACP president Minnie Pearson: She was one of many Champaign County Crime Stoppers award recipients Thursday afternoon.
“She don’t see one side of, she don’t favor one side or the other. She favors what’s right,” Champaign Police Chief Timothy Tyler said.
Tyler nominated Pearson for the Dave Benton Crime Fighter of the Year award due to her passion for the community and her commitment to ensuring fair treatment for everyone. This recognition makes her the first African American woman and the first member of the NAACP to receive this award.
Tyler added that she has worked to make sure the relationship between the police and the community is both “balanced” and “authentic.”
“They are there to protect and serve. And you can protect and serve people better when you build a relationship with those people,” Pearson said.
Pearson has been part of the NAACP for about 12 years. Being able to follow in her fathers footsteps was a dream of hers since she was a young girl. She’s continued to make a difference in the community by listening to what the people want.
“We just want to be safe in our communities. We want to better understand each other. We want to get to know one another, but at the same time be heard and respected on both ends,” Pearson said.
And that’s a statement Chief Tyler said he agrees with.
“The NAACP stands for justice for all. It’s not just for African Americans. And when you are actually a member and you hear these conversations — we’re here, that every community member, whether you’re white, black, brown or red, we’re here for justice,” Tyler said.
And Pearson said she understands what she means to the community and that she’s doing the right thing.
“This means a great deal to me,” Pearson said.
WCIA was given the Media Organization of the Year award. Other awards at the ceremony that were given out was contributor of the year, and board member of the year.
