The Greater Hampton Roads Regional Crime Lines will host its 18th annual Top Cop Awards this Saturday in Virginia Beach.

The evening will feature dinner and a silent auction. Awards will be given out to the Top Cop from each Hampton Roads locality, the Top individual, corporation and organization, a Lifetime Achievement award, the Chairman’s Award and Hampton Roads’ Top Cop.

“We want to recognize an officer or member of the police department from each locality for the outstanding effort they have done in the previous year,” said President Cathy Richards. “We feel it is important to recognize them for their efforts.”

The evening is not only to recognize those that help keep their communities safe but also to help raise money for the crime lines. The crime lines, 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, don’t receive federal or state funding, and it is imperative for the organization to raise money to continue providing services.

“Our organization runs off of donations and sponsorships. We don’t receive government or police department money,” Richards said. “It takes money to fund the crimes lines that encompass all of Hampton Roads and the Peninsula.”

The crime lines in Hampton Roads are important to the community, because they offer the chance for a partnership between law enforcement and its citizens, Richards said.

The crime lines allow citizens to call in with tips, and it is a reminder to be vigilant.

“The police can’t be everywhere all the time, but citizens can be vigilant in their own towns. If they see something, they can report it anonymously,” Richards said. “It also allows us to reward those that call and report crimes. They get paid anonymously, and it encourages people to pick up the phone and report something if they know something.”

One of the awards goes directly to anyone, law enforcement or private citizen, that demonstrates a passion and dedication to the crime lines. Last year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner was a police officer who spent their life supporting the crime lines, and Richards said this year will be no different.

“What that person does is volunteerism. It’s in their heart,” Richards said. “They have the love for it and they are good at it.”

Prior to the dinner, the organization will have a silent auction filled with items like an iPad, a TV, gift certificates to sporting events, restaurant coupons and other donated items.

The biggest prize at the event will be a ticket basket for a Washington Redskins and New York Giants game.

The event will be held at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, 3001 Atlantic Ave., at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 3.

For more information or tickets, contact Christie Saunders at 393-8752 ext. 10.