In the spring of 1997, Chuck Upton (then President of the Texas Crime Prevention Association, TCPA) proposed a new region that would be located in the Western part of the state of Texas . The purpose of this region would be to better serve members of the TCPA.

In July of 1997, at the TCPA Annual Summer Conference in Midland , TX the West Texas Crime Prevention Association was officially introduced to the general membership. Chuck Upton asked Danny Blankenship to head this Association's beginning steps as President until the region could have an election. The first slate of officers was:

1 st VP – Ron Sartor
2 nd VP – Trevlyn Pitner
3 rd VP – Donny Brown
Secretary – Matt Young
Treasurer – Sue Heath
Sgt-at-arms – Roy Gladden

In November 1997 we received our EIN (employer identification number). This was issued by the Department of the Treasury / Internal Revenue Service / Austin , TX . Our Number is 75-2732720. The EIN is assigned to the business/organization even if it has no employees.

The number of directors constituting the initial board of directors of the corporation was six (6). These are the Charting Founders:

Danny Blankenship ( Abilene , TX )
Marcus Hooker ( San Angelo , TX )
Trevlyn Pitner ( Snyder , TX )
Donny Brown ( Pampa , TX )
Matt Young ( Abilene , TX )
Sue Heath ( Abilene , TX )

The articles were typed on the 10 th of December 10, 1998.

On Feb. 19, 1999 we received notice that our Articles of Incorporation had been approved and placed on record with The State of Texas / Secretary of State. The Charter Number is 01525757-01.

On October 19, 1999 the Internal Revenue Service / District Director / Cincinnati , OH officially recognized West Texas Crime Prevention Association Corporation