Crime Stoppers is a citizen, media and police co-operative program designed to involve the public in the fight against crime. Crime Stoppers provides citizens with a vehicle to anonymously supply the police with information about a crime or potential crime. A reward of up to $2000.00 is offered to anyone providing information, which leads to an arrest, the recovery of stolen property or the seizure of drugs.

The Crime Stoppers tip line is staffed by trained personnel who receive, process and pass on tip information to law enforcement agencies. Callers are given a code number, which is used in all subsequent calls. Crime Stoppers wants the caller's information not their names.

The success of Crime Stoppers is also dependant on the support provided by local media. Unsolved crimes are re-enacted and shown on television, publicized in print or aired on local radio stations. As well as featuring crime the media helps promote the program within the community.

How did Crime Stoppers begin?

Crime Stoppers was started in Albuquerque, New Mexico when a Canadian-born Albuquerque Police Department Detective (Greg MacAleese) reached a dead-end in a homicide investigation.

Frustrated by the lack of clues, he enlisted a local television station's co-operation in producing a re-enactment of the crime. Within 72 hours of the re-enactment being aired, the police received a tip that helped solve the murder. This was the beginning of Crime Stoppers.

How does Crime Stoppers work?

The Crime Stoppers tip line, 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), is staffed by trained personnel who receive process and pass on tip information to the appropriate agency to investigate. Callers are given a code number, which is used in all subsequent calls, and are never asked to identify themselves or provide any personal information. It is the caller’s responsibility to call back for updates and instructions on how to claim a reward.

As of February 2005, Crime Stoppers has added another tool in its fight against crime. Persons wanting to provide information on crimes or criminals can now use the Internet, without giving up their anonymity. Updated software has been installed on the Calgary Crime Stoppers website (www.calgarycrimestoppers.org) allowing tipsters to simply click and fill in an electronic form which is then submitted to Crime Stoppers. Web Tips are completely anonymous through the use of MS SQL server technology.

When a tip file is completed the tip is submitted to the Crime Stoppers Board of Directors for reward. The amount of the reward is based on the amount of help the tip was in solving the case. Number of persons arrested, the risk to the caller and the amount of drugs or stolen property recovered are some of the factor considered in determining the amount of the reward. When the caller calls for an update, the caller is provided details on the amount of the reward and instruction on how to pick up the reward.