NCJ Number
75783
Date Published
1980
Length
289 pages
Annotation
Written for persons interested in starting a Crime Stoppers program, this operational manual presents the information necessary for establishing such a program and clearly delineates the separate roles of citizens, the police, and the media.
Abstract
Crime Stoppers was begun in 1976 in Albuquerque, N.M., by a police officer who used the concepts of rewards and anonymity to encourage citizens to call in information about crimes. Crimes are given attention in the local media as 'crimes of the week,' and citizens are rewarded for supporting police with information leading to an indictment. While the program works with the cooperation of the police, it is not run by the police department. It is funded by contributions, not by tax money, and is controlled by a board of directors whose members come from the community. This program implementation guide focuses on logistical, financial, and organizational issues regarding Crime Stoppers, as well as on potential community resources. Individual chapters treat particular aspects of the organization of the program. The functions and desirable makeup of the board of directors are covered, as is the role of the police coordinator and the media. Practical advice is given to the police coordinator on types of informants, screening of calls, and recordkeeping. Fundraising methods and sources are described, including personal contact, direct mail, media telethons, and telephone solicitation. A chapter on Crime Stoppers and the law discusses the privilege of anonymity and explains arrest, search, and seizure. It describes different types of informers and types of warrant affidavits. In addition, the ethics and morality of Crime Stoppers are considered in discussions of the morality of giving information about a crime to a law enforcement agency and the ethical aspects of offering and paying a reward for such information. Concluding chapters provide a history of the State Crime Stoppers Commission in New Mexico, which was formed to assist the operations of the 32 programs in the State and to aid new programs in getting started, and a description of Crime Stoppers--U.S.A., a national organization committed to the promotion of the program in all States. Supplementary material is appended to individual chapters. A flip chart is provided for organizational or fundraising purposes.