How it Began
During a daytime burglary in 1969, an Edina resident was severely beaten in his own home and later died from complications of the attack. The police department had no leads and the investigation stalled. Friends and neighbors of the man, and Edina civic organizations, recognized that reward money could have helped to acquire information about and solve the crime. They began to raise the monies that became the Edina Crime Prevention Fund in 1970.
Today, the Crime Prevention Fund is a significant contributor to many police department services and programs including Neighbors’ Home Watch, the department’s K-9 programs, the commercial crime report and the Crime Prevention Specialist position. The Fund has also paid out a substantial amount of reward and informant money. This money has assisted the Edina Police in solving hundreds of serious crimes including burglary, robbery and car jacking. The Crime Prevention Fund is a valuable resource that allows Edina to continue to be a safe place to live, work and play.
Why We Need a Fund
One of the reasons Edina works so well is because of the many effective partnerships forged between the city and the schools, commercial businesses, neighborhoods, and civic organizations. We recognize our interdependence, and work together to address the complex issues facing our community.
For over forty years, the Edina Crime Fund has been a valuable community partners. The Fund is a proud and significant contributor to many police department services and programs including: Neighbors’ Home Watch, Bike Patrol, Junior Police, K-9 program and the Crime Prevention Specialist position. The Fund also has paid out a substantial amount in reward and informant money. This money has assisted the police in solving hundreds of serious crimes, including burglary, robbery and car jacking. The victims of these crimes are Edina residents and business owners just like you – they’re your friends and neighbors.
How the Fund Operates
The Crime Prevention Fund is managed by a Board of Directors. This board is comprised of Edina residents, representatives from civic groups, and the current Edina Chief of Police. They provide guidance and oversight for rewards and funding for various commercial and residential crime prevention services and programs.
Finance
The Edina Crime Prevention Fund is a nonprofit corporation under Minnesota law with a July 1–June 30 fiscal year, and it files a Charitable Organization Annual Report with the Minnesota Attorney General.
Federal The Edina Crime Prevention Fund is an exempt organization eligible for tax-deductible charitable contributions under Section 501(c)(3) of the U. S.
Internal Revenue Code. It files a Form 990 annually with the Internal Revenue Service. Auditors are Ellingson & Ellingson, Ltd., 5101 Vernon Avenue South, Suite 501, Edina, MN 55436.