$1000 Reward Paid in Gallatin County

What started as a quick action by a concerned citizen in Gallatin County ended in a large reward! By reporting information about property theft to the Gallatin County Sheriff, followed by a felony conviction for the crime, this alert resident received $1,000 from Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB).  The crime involved theft of copper wire from a Gallatin County farmer's irrigation system.

According to Peggy Romba, who heads up the safety program at IFB, this anti-crime program was launched in 2005. "Illinois Farm Bureau wanted to do its part to help reduce crime in rural areas, so they put the $1000 Reward Program into place, she said. 

Forty-five county Farm Bureaus in Illinois are enrolled in the program, including the Gallatin County Farm Bureau.  The program also provides crime prevention tips to members with farmland and promotes good communication with the county sheriff and state's attorney. A key component of the program is that anyone in the county, not just farmers, is encouraged to report any information or sighting of crime on area farms.

Illinois Farm Bureau offers the following tips to farmers to use in deterring theft, vandalism, and arson on their farm:

• Install motion sensors and outside lights that automatically turn on at dusk.
• Keep farm equipment, tools, and small recreational vehicles like ATVs locked up in sheds or garages.
• Avoid leaving tractors, trucks, or combines in the field overnight (Disable machinery not in use by removing the rotor, distributor, or battery).
• Keep fences and gates in good repair.
• Prune back shrubbery that hides doors, windows, lights, and would-be burglars.
• Warn thieves with "No Trespassing" signs or the $1000 Reward signs and stickers available at the county Farm Bureau office.

If you'd like more information on this program, contact your county Farm Bureau. And remember to always be alert and report any suspicious activity to your local authorities.