Crime Stoppers is a community program geared toward public involvement in the fight against crime. It offers cash rewards up to $1,000 and anonymity to citizens who provide information to Crime Stoppers. Most of the information received by Crime Stoppers is via the telephone. Two easy-to-remember numbers, (812-238-STOP and 1-800-222-TIPS) were set up for Crime Stoppers. Both numbers are manned by the Wabash Valley Crime Stoppers staff.

Each week, an unsolved crime is selected as the crime of the week. The facts are broadcast on television and printed in the newspaper. All participation by the media is voluntary and generously donated to the program.

We cover eleven Indiana counties (Vermillion, Vigo, Parke, Clay, Sullivan, Greene, Knox, Daviess, Martin, Owen, and Putnam) and seven Illinois counties (Edgar, Clark, Crawford, Lawrence, Jasper, Cumberland, and Richland).  When a call is received by Crime Stoppers, a fact sheet is filled out. The date, time and brief summary of the caller's information is included. The call taker then assigns the caller a number. This number is used in subsequent calls to Crime Stoppers and if and when any reward is paid to the caller. All callers may remain anonymous, with no pressure to reveal their identity, and still collect their rewards.

If a caller's information results in the arrest and indictment of an offender of the apprehension of a wanted person, contact with the caller will be through a call back system and arrangements made so that the person can receive his reward in CASH and preserve his anonymity.

A crime Stoppers Board of Directors, composed of citizens from all areas of the community, oversees the operation of the program and approves the rewards to be paid. The determination of these rewards is based on information presented by the Police Coordinators. The Board of Directors does not know who called in the information - only the facts of the case and the caller's Crime Stoppers number.

Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization and is funded entirely through public donations. Contributions are tax deductible.

Crime Stoppers is comprised of diverse, active and dedicated community representatives. Crime Stoppers provides a method for local law enforcement to receive information on crimes. These efforts increase tips, which in turn increase arrests in our community. |