Crime Stoppers
Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing citizens with
an opportunity to anonymously report crime, while receiving cash rewards for
tips that lead to arrests or the solving of criminal cases. The first
Crime Stoppers program was founded in Albuquerque, New Mexico, during September
of 1976. What’s more, Crime Stoppers became International in 1983, with
the creation of the first two programs in Canada. In 1985, Anderson
joined the National and International community of Crime Stoppers affiliates by
establishing its own chapter. The Anderson Police Department is entrusted
with the duty of facilitating the Crime Stoppers program in the Greater
Anderson Area. Currently, Detective Mitch Carroll of the Anderson
Police Department serves as the program’s coordinator. Subsequently, the
coordinator reports to a civilian board of directors who govern the program’s
operations and payment of cash rewards. As of 1985, Crime Stoppers has
paid cash rewards to tipsters in the sum of $92,066.00. The program has fielded
15,639 tips during the same time period and is responsible for over 2,357
arrests; and the numbers continue to rise. In addition, Crime Stoppers
relies upon the generosity of the community at large for monetary donations to
fund the program. Many local businesses are actively involved in funding
this vital program in the fight against crime.
FAQ:
Q: How does Crime Stoppers Work?
A: Crime Stoppers has established its own separate telephone line that is
maintained away from the police department. Calls that come into the
Crime Stoppers’ line can be accessed by the coordinator but not traced.
Each caller is encouraged to provide a four digit number of their choice that
will identify them with specific calls. We recommend that callers use the
first four digits of their social security number since it is easier for
callers to remember. These numbers reveal very little if any about one’s
personal identity. Callers may choose to identify themselves, but it is
not necessary.
Q: What must I do to turn my tip into cash?
A: Callers need to dial 765.649.6760 to report their anonymous
tip. If the coordinator is in his/her office when the call comes in, the
call will then be answered personally. If he/she is not in, then the
caller will receive a recorded message of instructions on what to do, and how
to leave their tip. Callers should call back within a short period of
time to check up on their tip. If a tip leads to an arrest or the solving
of a criminal case, then the tipster will be given instructions on how to go
about getting their cash reward. Tipsters may receive up to $1,000 in
reward money. Each tip is evaluated and then assigned a number based upon
a point system. The point system dictates how much a caller will receive
in reward money. Tipsters are guaranteed a minimum payment of $100.
Remember, in order to get credit for a tip, the call must come through
the Crime Stoppers tip line.
Q: How can I be sure that my identity will be protected?
A: Crime Stoppers will never reveal the identity of persons placing calls
through the tip line. Unless one divulges their identity, the coordinator
or members of the board of directors will only know them as the four digit
numbers that Crime Stoppers is provided.
On behalf of Crime Stoppers, I want to thank-you for visiting our site and I
want to encourage everyone to make use of this law enforcement tool. The
Crime Stoppers program does work—there are 92,066 reasons why it does.