How It Works

Sunday, May 20, 2012

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How Crime Stoppers Works

Crime Stoppers was the brainchild of a young Albuquerque detective who was concerned by the number of unsolved cases he and fellow detectives were working, and was particularly frustrated that all possible leads had been exhausted regarding the murder of a young college student. He felt information that would solve the crime was available from someone other than the criminal. That principal led to the major factors that needed to be addressed so individuals would come forward.

Members of the local community, media and law enforcement, came together in partnership to begin the effort to provide crime-solving assistance to law enforcement, and the first Crime Stoppers program was born on September 8, 1976.

A cash reward was offered to individuals that provided anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers with information which would lead to the arrest of the person(s) responsible for the crime. The local media publicized the first “Crime of the Week” and the phone number to call with the information. A call received by the program resulted in the arrest of three men, within 72 hours, who had been involved in the homicide of the young college student that had occurred 4 months earlier.

Today, community and student Crime Stoppers programs reach around the world and are represented by the Nation/Regions of the United States, Canada, Caribbean and Latin America, Europe, Australia, and the South/Western Pacific.

The Crime Stoppers program has enjoyed great success with the information received which has led to the arrest and indictment of those responsible for committing felony offenses, boasting an average conviction rate of approximately 95% on cases solved by a tip to the program.

Crime Stoppers works with a partnership between the community, local media and law enforcement.

If you have any information about a crime, please call Clayton Crime Stoppers. If the information you provide leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash reward.

Community

Citizens are responsible for forming a Crime Stoppers non-profit corporation, whose directors establish policy, determine amount and method of reward payments, work closely with law enforcement and the media and generally oversee the program. The directors are also responsible for fund raising, and all volunteer service. The program is supported by the public through tax deductible donations from businesses, corporations, individuals, and service organizations.

Media

Crime Stoppers is publicized on a regular basis by all media outlets including print, broadcast and web-based partners. Special attention is given to unsolved crime re-enactments, “Crimes of the Week”, cold cases, narcotics activity, wanted fugitives, and suspected terrorist and gang activity.

Law Enforcement

Local law enforcement agencies receive and process the anonymous tips received through Crime Stoppers, and solve the crimes. If the information leads to an arrest, the caller will be paid up to $1,000.00 for their information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q - What are the membership dues for Crime Stoppers USA members?
A - Membership dues are based on the size and population served by the local Crime Stoppers program. The annual dues payment schedule starts at $50 for independent Student programs, and is a maximum of $300 annually for the largest community programs. Associate and Alumni dues are $75.

Q - What is the requirement for the payment of CSI dues?
A - All membership dues are paid directly to Crime Stoppers USA which also provides affiliate membership in CSI. Crime Stoppers USA will have two representatives on the CSI Board of Directors and a third representative will represent the USA programs.

Q - What are the requirements of membership in Crime Stoppers USA?
A - To be a program in good standing, the program must be domiciled in the USA or US territory or possession, have a volunteer board of directors, and be registered in its state as a non profit organization. The program must be a 501(c)(3) organization according to a United States IRS determination letter and have an issued IRS tax identification number; or provide documentation and a tax identification number that indicates the organization falls under another IRS designation that deems it to have tax-exempt status, with the ability to accept tax deductible contributions. The program must have a law enforcement organization that supplies a program coordinator, an anonymous phone line, and pay cash rewards that do not greatly exceed the suggested guideline of up to $1,000.00 as set forth by the Crime Stoppers concept, with the exception of a State or Regional program that provides only administrative, member services, or advisory support to local programs within a geographic area. A member program must pay annual dues to Crime Stoppers USA and continue to remain current.

Q - What will be the annual cycle for membership dues?
A - The membership year will run January to December.

Q - What are the elected positions for Crime Stoppers USA and term limits?
A - The elected positions of Crime Stoppers USA will be Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, At-Large Directors, Regional Directors, and the CSI At-Large Representative. Term of office is 2 years. No officer shall be eligible to serve more than 2 consecutive terms in each office except the Secretary and Treasurer, who can serve up to 4 consecutive terms.

Q - What are the paid CSUSA positions and salary amounts?
A - The by-laws provide for the hiring of an executive director if it is deemed necessary and the contract will list the responsibilities of said person, reporting structure, term of contract and compensation.

Q - How is one nominated for elected office on the Crime Stoppers USA Board of Directors?
A - All civilian candidates must have a present association with and a letter of support from a member program in good standing. All law enforcement/coordinator candidates must have a present association with a member program in good standing, and a letter of support from the supervisor of their law enforcement agency. The letter is then submitted along with a completed application. Each candidate must have attended at least 1 state or regional Crime Stoppers conference, and 1 National or International Crime Stoppers conference with supporting documentation. The nominations committee will conduct the back ground checks and prepare the ballot dissemination to all programs in good standing. Elections are held every two years, however, the Board of Directors can fill vacancies on the board in between national elections. Committee appointments are also available.

Q - What are the voting privileges for Crime Stoppers USA member programs in good standing?
A - Each member program in good standing of Crime Stoppers USA will have two votes to be cast at a the Annual General Meeting or by mail prior to the meeting for all issues and elections to be voted. Each ballot will be mailed with return instructions.

Q - What are the paid Crime Stoppers USA positions and salary amounts?
A - At present, the only long-term paid position for the organization is the contracted position for the Director of Legal Services.