What is Crime Stoppers in the School?

Crime Stoppers in the School is a school supported way to decrease crime and increase pride within the school by rewarding valid sharing of information regarding criminal activity.

Crime Stoppers in the School uses the students within the school to support and operate the program. The students play the most important role in implementing and maintaining the program.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

• Crime Stoppers will decrease crime within the school and increase the number of incidents reported by students.
• Crime Stoppers will increase school spirit by creating a crime free environment .
• The program increases students' individual self-esteem by establishing their importance in the school environment and enabling them to make a difference.
• The program creates an avenue for faculty and students to successfully work together.

IMPLEMENTING CRIME STOPPERS IN THE SCHOOL

The program relies on students to contribute and operate the program under the supervision of the faculty and staff of the school. A sample population of students must be chosen from the student body to serve on the Crime Stoppers Student Board. The number of students chosen is decided by the faculty sponsor of the program. Enough students should be chosen to promote and help maintain it.

The student board's function is only to promote the program within the school and to determine, based on the facts given, if a tip or clue should be rewarded. Their function IS NOT to turn other students in or to "narc" on fellow classmates.

In the beginning, the student board needs to meet to determine how tips are going to be handled, whether it be by telephone, a tip box, or telling a faculty member. This is determined by the student board and school faculty.

Promotion of the program is encouraged by displaying posters or flyers made by the students. Announcements can be made about certain crimes within the school, and of course, rewards are offered.

The Mountie speaks to a 5th grade class at Cumberland Trace Elementary School about how they can make a difference in their school.

CRIME STOPPERS IN THE SCHOOL FUNDING

Funding for Crime Stoppers in the School is spear-headed by the faculty sponsor and the student board. Money can be raised by a variety of methods including bake and candy sales, car washes, and/or business donations. Money raised is used for the promotion of the program and for cash rewards for information regarding criminal activity.

Reward amounts are determined by the student board. The amount of money needed to fund the program will vary from school to school. Money has become a significant tool in the "purchasing" of information concerning crime. Cash overcomes apathy.

The assigned police officer for your school is to help promote the program and to attend monthly meetings of the student board. The officer will individualize the program to fit the needs of the school in regard to the level of education, age of the students, and specific needs or concerns of the school. A school discussion with the student population and the officer is encouraged in order to introduce the program and to answer questions.