Example

John Doe, returning home late one night, witnessed three men fighting. The next morning, based on television and radio reports, he learned that he was the witness to a robbery and assault. Mr. Doe recognized one of the men as a patron of a local bar. He chose not to get involved because he was certain the police would learn the identity of the two robbers without his help. A few months later, Mr. Doe saw a "Crime of the Week" segment in which this particular case was featured. From the segment, Mr. Doe learned that the identity of the robbers was still unknown to police. After some consideration, Mr. Doe decided to call Crime Stoppers and relate his experience.

What will Crime Stoppers do?

Upon receipt of a call, the tip-line operator records in writing the information provided by an informant and assigns a code number. The informant desires to be anonymous. The operator will fill out a Crime Stopper Tip Sheet and forwards it to the Law Enforcement Coordinator. The tip is logged and relayed to the appropriate police investigating unit for follow-up. The Coordinator checks back with the investigating unit bi-weekly to determine the effect of the information. If the information results in an arrest and indictment, then the investigating unit notifies the Coordinator and forwards a summary of the case. The summary will be reviewed by the Coordinator and used to prepare a presentation and reward recommendation to the Board of Directors.

Once the Crime Stoppers case is solved, a suspect is indicted, and the Crime Stoppers Board of Directors decides on the amount of the reward to be given to the tipster. The caller must call Crime Stoppers in order for a payoff by the Board to be set up. Once the call is received, the informant is asked to repeat the information he originally provided for the purpose of verifying that they are, in fact, the caller. A location will be set up, or other method agreed upon, for payment of the cash reward. Every effort is made to insure the informant's anonymity.