Welcome to our Website
What is Crime Stoppers
Crime Stoppers is a
civilian, non profit, charitable organization that brings together in a
triparte relationship, the police services of a community, the media and the
community in the fight against crime.
Crime Stoppers provides
citizens with a vehicle to anonymously supply the police with information
about a crime or potential crime of which they have knowledge.
Cash rewards are offered to
people who call the program and their information leads to an arrest..
Who administers the Crime Stoppers
Program
A volunteer board of
Directors actively administers and is responsible for the program. The Crime
Stoppers Society is a non-profit organization and is responsible for raising
funds and the disbursements of rewards. The Board of Directors work in close
cooperation with the Police Department and all areas of the media.
How is the Crime
Stoppers program funded
Crime Stoppers is a Community
Project supported by donations of money, goods or services. Contributions
from individuals, corporations, clubs, professional associations, retailers,
civic and social groups keep the Crime Stoppers program functional. All
donations to a Crime Stoppers Society are tax deductible.
How did Crime Stoppers begin
In July 1976, in Albuquerque
New Mexico, a university student was killed during a gas station robbery.
After 6 weeks of investigation the police had very few leads as to who was
responsible. Police investigators thought that if the public was able to
observe a re-enactment of the crime on television this might lead to a
citizen providing information that may lead to an arrest.
The police investigators were
right. A caller contacted the police Department the next day after seeing
the re-enactment. The tip information was enough to lead the police to the
two men who were responsible. Within 72 hours of the re-enactment being
aired, the police had solved the murder. This was the beginning of Crime
Stoppers.
Since the program started,
there are now more than 950 Crime Stoppers programs worldwide. More than
425,000 crimes have been solved since its inception and over $1 billion
worth of stolen property and narcotics have been seized.
How does Crime Stoppers work
The Crime Stoppers tip line
is staffed by trained personnel who receive, process, and pass on tip
information to investigating officers. Callers are given a code number which
is used in all subsequent calls and callers do not have to identify
themselves.
A reward of up to $2,000 is
offered to anyone providing information which leads to an arrest for a
crime. Rewards may also be made for information leading to the recovery of
stolen property, the seizure of illegal drugs or an arrest on an outstanding
warrant.
The media is a very important
component of Crime Stoppers. An unsolved crime may be re-enacted and shown
on television or may be publicized in a newspaper or aired on the radio. The
media also brings the program to the attention of the public
