How it Works
Crime Stoppers relies on cooperation between the police, the media, and the general community to provide a flow of information about crime and criminals.
The Phone Call
Calls are received at the Regional Crime Stoppers Call Center. The phone system used is a standalone instrument which does not provide caller ID and conversations are not recorded. The Crime Stoppers Civilian Coordinator receiving the information completes the tip information form, makes initial inquiries and then passes the information to the Law Enforcement Officer. Calls are accepted regarding any publicized request for information, such as "Crime of the Week" or such other crimes the caller has knowledge of.
By guaranteeing a caller's anonymity Crime Stoppers allows the caller to give information in a positive atmosphere without the prospect of retribution. By offering cash rewards for information leading to an arrests, the program encourages otherwise reluctant callers to provide information.
The Online Tip
Tipsters now have the option of giving us tips online via the Crime Stoppers web site or a smartphone application. The process is completely secure and anonymous. This secure process is a very effective and efficient means of safely communicating with us in today's world. Our internet tip collection process is powered by the world's leading online tip solution provider, Anderson Software.
The very unique integrated Two-Way Dialog capabilities allow the tipster to come back and provide additional information to their tip at any time. The internet applications also provides a secure means for the Civilian Coordinator or Law Enforcement Officer to ask questions. In addition, the tipster can now request reward information back to through the same secure and encrypted interface.
Structure and Funding of Crime Stoppers
The Crime Stoppers program is funded by private donations and Court cost paid for by convicted criminals. NO TAX DOLLARS are involved.
A Crime Stoppers Board of Directors, made up of persons from the local area, meets on a monthly basis to evaluate all reward request. They review and decide on the size of rewards to be paid, up to $5,000.
Does Crime Stoppers Work?
The answer is quite simply yes. Since the start of Crime Stoppers, many calls have been received resulting in thousands of arrests and recovery of substantial amounts of property. Calls have included information about murder, robbery, rape, assaults, drug and firearm offenses.
The success of a Crime Stoppers program cannot be purely judged on statistics, however, other benefits have come to notice:
- A greater awareness in the community that there is a crime problem.
- A willingness by the community to fight back against crime if it is given the opportunity and motivation.
- Improved relationships between police, media, and the community.
Crime Stoppers is definitely here to stay. It has been accepted by Law Enforcement as a valid and effective investigative tool. The public, through its overwhelming response, appears to have accepted it as a more palatable alternative to traditional methods of giving information to Law Enforcement.