TIP-MONT Program Has A New Administrator

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TIP-MONT, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ ’crimestoppers’ program established in 1985, has a new state program coordinator, Debbie Bingham.  Bingham, an 11-year FWP veteran brings a unique sense of family and commitment to her work. "I grew up in Montana being a game warden’s daughter and knew what it was like to be able to see my dad only occasionally," Bingham said. Bingham was born in Missoula. "I dreamed of being able do something that would help wardens have a little more time to spend with their families."  She began in April 1990 working at FWP in enforcement and licensing and had progressed to providing administrative support to wardens in the field before being named TIP-MONT program coordinator. Bingham’s father, Orville Lewis, started with FWP in June of 1950 as a field warden, became a regional supervisor in Miles City and in March of 1959 was promoted to Chief of FWP Law Enforcement in Helena.  Bingham’s father ended his career in the FWP Director’s office as Associate Director from June 1977 to July 1983 when he retired.   Other family members work or have worked in licensing and with special drawings, including her sister for a couple of seasons and her mother, Alida who came to work at FWP once her husband passed away in 1997. Her nephew, Justin Lewis has started working summers as he attends high school.  His goal is to become a game warden. As the TIP-MONT coordinator, Bingham will receive calls to the TIP-MONT line (1-800-847-6668) and forward reports of the calls to the wardens or agencies able to act on them. "I feel that in order to protect the valuable resources in this state offers, everyone should have the opportunity to do their part in helping to oversee them," she said.   Bingham reminds those who observe a violation that the warden is only able to do the job according to the information they are given.  "They need as much detail as possible," Bingham said.  "Callers who write down what they observe as they observe it seem to have more accurate and detailed information to share with us." Callers should note these details relating to a crime: