How they do it
Put simply it is a multi-part approach to solving the crime problem. Crime Stoppers relies on the cooperation between the police, the media, and the general community to provide a flow of information about crime and criminals. Here’s how they do it.
#1-The Phone Call
Calls are received via a local Crime Stoppers tips line. This phone is a standalone instrument which does not provide caller identification and conversations are not recorded. The Crime Stoppers program receiving the information completes a tis information form, makes initial inquiries and then passes the information to the investigating law enforcement agency. Calls are accepted regarding any crime(s) the caller has knowledge of.
By guaranteeing a caller’s anonymity, Crime Stoppers allows the caller to give information in a positive atmosphere without fear of retribution. Offering cash rewards for information leading to arrests further encourages otherwise reluctant callers to provide information.
#2- The Online “WebTip”
Many programs offer Tipsters the option of giving tips online. The process is completely secure and anonymous and is a very effective and efficient means of safely communicating in today's world. The Web Tipping process has integrated Two-Way Dialog capabilities allowing tipsters the ability to come back and provide additional information at any time, while providing a secure means for the program coordinator to ask questions or provide reward information back to the tipster through the same secure and encrypted interface.
#3-The Text Message Tip
Tipsters also have the option of sending anonymous crime tips via a text message from the tipster’s cell phone. As with online tips, text message tips are also completely secure and anonymous. Once the text message is sent, the tipster will receive a text message from Crime Stoppers with their confidential code number so they may add additional information to the original tip if necessary. Using the same Two-Way dialog capabilities of online tip reporting, Crime Stoppers will be able to re-contact tipsters via text message regarding their tips. Tipsters simply text the programs keyword plus their tip information to “CRIMES” (274637).