By Shannon Lukens.

 

A religious group called Strong Tower out of Texas was asked to leave in front of the Walmart in Steamboat Springs today. Steamboat Springs Police Chief Mark Beckett showed up with other police officers to investigate the group, which was collecting money. After talking with those on site, Chief Beckett said Strong Tower did not have the proper licensing with the City of Steamboat Springs to be there.

 

Chief Beckett says the police were called because the group was allegedly telling Walmart shoppers that they were raising money for local groups, specifically a safehouse in Steamboat Springs. When asked who, they wouldn’t name those local groups. Chief Beckett called the local “Better Tomorrow” non-profit, which operates Advocates of Routt County. Executive Director Mark Fitzgerald confirmed that they had not heard about any money being raised for the local safehouse, which they run.

“So this is the second time in the last six months that we’ve had a group claiming to be raising money on behalf of local charities. Fortunately, we have a community that’s very close so those falsehoods are brought to us very quickly. We were able to coordinate with Advocates (of Routt County) and verify that in fact that was not the case, that the money was not coming locally. We have seized some evidence and business paperwork and we will be proceeding with a criminal investigation.”

 

A spokesperson with the group made calls to their home office. Chief Beckett then spoke to those people on the phone who said they were with the Strong Tower organization out of Texas. Chief Beckett said he was going to seize all of the crosses and merchandise they were giving away for donations and all property as evidence.

 

“Evidence here is part of the crime that we are investigating.”

 

The police ended up not taking the items that were being given away, but they did confiscate $537 collected in donations on Wednesday, as well as a 501©3 form which was the only business paperwork the group had. Steamboat Police said Strong Tower did not have any business license information and that they were operating without a business license.

 

Chief Beckett asked an officer to confirm that Strong Tower had permission to be in front of Walmart. That officer said the local Walmart said they were told it was a church group wanting to be in front of the store.

 

We also checked GuideStar.com which is a group that collects public information on non-profits throughout the country. The “Proverbs 18:10 Ministries,” which is also listed on the flyers says it is a group out of Hitchcock, Texas, with an EIN (Employer Identification Number), a Ruling Year of 2014, and an NTEE Code (National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities) that says, “Group Home, Residential Treatment Facility – Mental Health Related). It also says $0 Revenue, and $3,296,638 in Expenses.

 

A Strong Tower flyer was available with a phone number on it. Chief Beckett called it as did Steamboat Radio News. The person who answered did not answer with the name of the business, and the person hung up on both of us.

 

The other side of the flyer says “Strong Tower Ministries is a 12-month faith-based, residential program for men and women facing life controlling issues. Through daily classes, vocational activities, and worshipping together, we fight side-by-side with every student for full recovery and aid each person in finding freedom through Jesus Christ. Our ultimate goal is to make disciples.”

 

Their Facebook link from the Strong Tower website says Strong Tower is a 12-month recovery program, helping those struggling with life controlling issues since ’09. It also says, “Strong Tower Ministries is responsible for this page.”

 

 

The Strong Tower group left, but held a group prayer first, before packing up. Chief Beckett says Steamboat Springs Police will continue to investigate the legitimacy of the group.

 

Steamboat Springs Police adds, “Always be knowledgeable about any group you donate money to.”