Simply put, there is a three part approach to solving the crime problem. 88-CRIME 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 88-CRIME Crime Stoppers tip phone line. This phone is a stand alone instrument which does not provide caller ID, and conversations are never recorded. The 88-CRIME Crime Stoppers Coordinator receiving the information completes the tip information form, makes initial inquiries and then passes the information to the investigating law enforcement agency. The type of calls  accepted are  any that are featured on news broadcasts, newpapers or any other public outlet, such as "Crime of the Week" or of information on any other felony crime(s) the caller has knowledge of.

By guaranteeing a tipster's anonymity, 88-CRIME Crime Stoppers allows the tipster to give information in a positive atmosphere without the prospect of retribution. By offering cash rewards for information leading to indictment or arrests, the program encourages otherwise reluctant tipsters to provide information.

The Online WebTip

Tipsters also have the option of submitting a tip online. The process is completely secure and anonymous and is a very effective and efficient way of safely communicating with us in today's world. Our WebTip process is powered by the world's leading online tip solution provider, Anderson Software.  

The very unique integrated Two-Way Dialog capabilties allow the tipster to come back and provide additional information to their tip at any time, but also provides a secure means for the coordinator to ask questions or provide reward information back to the tipster through the same secure and encrypted interface.

The Text Message

This method is very much like submitting a tip online in which it is also secure, anonymous, and very effective since many people rely on texting to communicate. The texting process is also powered by Anderson Software, and much like the online method, the tipster and 88-CRIME Crimestopper coordinators can correspond with one another and continue with the tipster keeping their "anonymous" status.

Structure and Funding of 88-CRIME Crime Stoppers

The 88-CRIME Crime Stopper Program is organized as a not for profit organization (Charity).  The board of directors which is made up of civilians throughout the community, provide direction as to the financial and promotional activities of the program. The board of directors enhance the community involvement aspect which is vital to the program's success.

88-CRIME Crime Stoppers is funded by private donations and fund raising.          NO TAX DOLLARS are involved. The reward money paid out by the program is from the fund raising and donations from concerned citizens and businesses.

The board members meet on a monthly basis along with members of multiple law enforcement agencies to evaluate arrests and to decide on the size of rewards of up to $1000 to be paid out.  Rewards are then distributed in a private manner to the tipsters. Although eligible tipsters can receive rewards of up to $1,000, many tipsters choose not to collect their rewards.

Does 88-CRIME Crime Stoppers Work?

The answer is YES. Since the start of Crime Stoppers, many tips have been received resulting in thousands of arrests and recovery of substantial amounts of property. Tips have included information about murder, robbery, rape, assaults, drug and firearm offenses.

The success of our local 88-CRIME 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 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 police as a valid and effective investigative tool, and through its overwhelming response, the public appears to have accepted it as a more palatable alternative to traditional methods of providing information.