NCJ Number
92565
Date Published
1982
Length
11 pages
Annotation
The Crime Stoppers program in Columbia, south Carolina, allows citizens to report crime information anonymously. A reward is paid for information leading to an indictment.
Abstract
Crime Stoppers is a nonprofit corporation run by a board of directors consisting of business community representatives. Initiated by the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, the program requires the support of law enforcement agencies, the media, and the business community. The program is operated on a day-to-day basis by a Crime Stoppers coordinator who receives information on a special telephone line, records it, and channels it for investigation. The coordinator must track the cases, report on case status to the board of directors, recommend amounts of reward payments, and work with the media by supplying cases for a weekly 'Crime Stoppers Alert.' Representatives of other police departments work with the coordinator. Newspapers and radio stations disseminate weekly crime alert information while television stations reenact the 'Crime Alerts' for public viewing. Business community representatives on the board make policy, raise funds, determine rewards, and supply publicity. Reward money derives from donations. In the 4 months of its operation, the program has been very successful, accounting for 86 arrests; clearance of 96 cases; and recovery of over 7,086,219 dollars in stolen goods and narcotics. Steps taken to implement the program are detailed for communities wishing to start similar programs. A sample form for taking crime information is supplied.