What is Crime Stoppers? The answer really is quite simple. Crime Stoppers is a Non-Profit organization that works with the community, media, and law enforcement to help solve crimes. 

The Community 

Though no one part of any Crime Stoppers organization is more important than the other, the citizens of each community are responsible for forming a Crime Stoppers non-profit corporation, establishing a board of directors who are responsible for establishing policy, determining amount and method of reward payments, working closely with the police and the media and generally overseeing the program. The directors are also responsible for fund raising which goes directly to maintaining the organization and paying rewards. This is an ALL VOLUNTEER, non-paid organization which relies heavily on volunteer service. There is no tax money sought.

 

The Media 

The next important part of Crime Stoppers is the media. A successful Crime Stoppers program cannot function effectively without the help of the media. Crime Stoppers methods, objectives, successes and phone are publicized on a regular basis by the media. The Tri-County Crime Stoppers currently broadcasts on 1240 AM/ 95.3 FM WJON radio station.

 

Radio Programs 

• WJON St. Cloud 6:25 a.m., Tues & Thurs

 

The Police

Last but not least, the police. Each Crime Stoppers organization develops and maintains a working relationship with the local law enforcement agencies within its community. This relationship allows Crime Stoppers to get up-to-date information on crimes in which the police may need the assistance of the community to help solve. Once this information is received, the Crime Stoppers board will then utilize its contacts within the media and community to get this information out. 

A special Crime Stoppers phone with a well-publicized number is provided to the community. Callers are assigned a special code number and NEVER asked to give their names. Another step Crime Stoppers takes to ensure the highest amount of anonymity to the caller, we do not have a caller-ID on our phone.

If a tip is received, the Crime Stoppers board will then forward the tip information the appropriate law enforcement agency.

If during the course of the investigation a tip leads to an arrest and formal charges are made, then the caller is entitled to a reward.  

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Crime Stoppers works on the principle that "Someone other than the criminal has information that can solve a crime," and was created to help combat the three major problems faced by law enforcement in generating that information.

1. Fear of REPRISAL
2. An attitude of APATHY
3. Reluctance to get INVOLVED

Crime Stoppers resolves these problems by:

1. Offering ANONYMITY to people who provide information about crimes
2. Paying REWARDS when the information supplied leads to an arrest.

 

For more information on the history of either Crime Stoppers USA or the Tri-County Crime Stoppers of Minnesota, please visit our History of Crime Stoppers page.

 

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