Prescott AZ (October 22, 2020) – In 2018, there were 48 drug overdose fatalities in Yavapai County. In 2019 there were 68 drug overdose deaths in Yavapai County. From methamphetamine to heroin and fentanyl or mixtures of many different drugs, they are all claiming lives in our county. (The above information from the 2020 Yavapai County Overdose Fatality Review Board. www.matforce.org/Portals/0/ofrb%20annual%20report-Spring%202020.pdf)
Drug related crimes are not now, nor have they ever been victimless crimes! One overdose death is too many.
The Yavapai Silent Witness Board has decided to take an even more aggressive stance in the fight to rid our communities of drug dealers. With the growing numbers of overdose deaths affecting our state and our community, it is time to step up efforts to assist our communities and law enforcement in any way we can to make Yavapai County the last place a drug dealer would want to set up shop.
The Yavapai Silent Witness Board has agreed to increase the rewards paid for information that leads to the arrests of drug dealers. The board decided they will be paying cash rewards of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrests of these dealers. This is different from the automatic $1,000 rewards paid for information leading to the arrests of fentanyl dealers. In these circumstances, the cash reward for drug dealers not dealing fentanyl will depend on the impact of the case to the community. However, the absolute minimum reward for information leading to the arrest of drug dealers will now be $400. Which is a significant increase.
If you have information that can assist Yavapai County Law Enforcement in taking these offenders off our streets, please call Yavapai Silent Witness at 1-800-932-3232 or submit a tip at www.yavapaisw.com. Remember, all tips are anonymous, and you never have to give your name.
