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A loose-knit crime-watch organization of local business owners is becoming more organized and less loose.

Tom Edmondson, de facto leader of the group and owner of Custom Limousines, said the association of about 30 business owners — formed in response to a rash of burglaries causing an estimated $500,000 since November to businesses along Kansas Highway 32 between Kansas Highway 7 and 98th Street — hasn’t got a name, though he’s leaning toward Kaw Valley Betterment Association or Kaw Valley Crime Watch.

“We’re working on getting incorporated; we’ve got committees formed,” Edmonsdon said. “All of us work on it a little each day.”

The group first met a month ago, Edmondson said, and he estimates “80 percent” of the members are actively involved.

“When you run your own business you already work 10-12 hours a day,” Edmondson said to explain why there wasn’t more active participation.

Edmondson said the committees meet about twice a week and the whole group would meet once or twice a month.

Some members are working on the group’s mission statement and getting it incorporated as a nonprofit organization, while others are working out how to qualify for a grant to buy two-way radios. Still others are researching the best surveillance cameras and others are working to get T-shirts and hats made so that other members and police officers can easily identify them.

Graham Kustynuk, owner of Alumicorp, had flyers printed up offering a $1,000 reward through Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the burglaries and vehicle thefts.

Edmondson said Crime Stoppers told him the Bonner Springs-Edwardsville group would be the first, large association of businesses organized as a crime-watch group in the Kansas City area, as most associations consist of two or three merchants, he said, and don’t last long. He said their work is important because burglaries and their aftermath “slow progress down tremendously for businesses.” Edmondson is optimistic the group, working with law-enforcement agencies, will achieve results.

“Once the crime spree gets to a slowdown, then the question is, do we continue the association on a bigger scale?” Edmondson said.

Hence, the reason he’s considering the name “Kaw Valley Betterment Association”; the title will lend itself to other community activities not having to do with crime prevention.

For more information or to join Edmondson’s crime-watch association for business owners, e-mail him at tom@kctransportation.com.

Anyone with information on the burglaries and vehicle thefts along K-32 between K-7 and 98th Street, beginning November 2007, can call Crime Stoppers at (816) 474-8477, the Bonner Springs Police Department at (913) 422-7800 or the Edwardsville Police Department at (913) 441-6983.

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