Huge Turnout for Community Meeting in Fredericktown on Increase of Non-Violent Crimes in Madison County

(Fredericktown, Mo.) Over 150 people came out to the Black River Electric Cooperative in Fredericktown last night for a community meeting that addressed the increase of thefts, burglaries and other non-violent crimes in Madison County.

The discussion focused on Rule 33 which was implemented by the Missouri Supreme Court in July 2019 and forces law enforcement to release non-violent criminals who have no criminal history, have a criminal history but have always appeared in court, or those who cannot be held on bond because they do not have the means to pay off that bond.

Madison County Sheriff Katy McCutcheon says the uptick in non-violent crimes can be traced back to individuals who are stealing to pay for drugs and the new Rule 33 gives those individuals the opportunity to become repeat offenders.

To combat the increase in non-violent crimes, Madison County is in the preliminary stages of implementing a neighborhood watch program.

Sheriff McCutcheon says the goal of that program will be to increase the speed of information being shared with law enforcement.

Those in Madison County who are interested in participating in the neighborhood watch program are encouraged to call the sheriff’s office at 573-783-2234 or contact Sheriff McCutcheon directly at 573-783-9932.

Additionally, there will be neighborhood watch forms that will be uploaded to the Madison County Missouri Sheriff’s Office Facebook page in the coming days that will serve as another way for folks to get involved.

Lastly, Sheriff McCutcheon wants residents of Madison County to know that they are doing everything they can to keep the community safe…