History

1:         What is Crime Stoppers?

Crime Stoppers is a community, 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 is offered to anyone providing information, which leads to an arrest, or the recovery of stolen property or the seizure of illegal drugs.  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. 

2:         How did Crime Stoppers begin?

Crime Stoppers was started in Albuquerque, New Mexico when Canadian-born Albuquerque Police Department Detective Greg MacAleese reached a dead-end in a homicide investigation.  He enlisted a local television station's co-operation in producing a re-enactment of the crime and within 72 hours the police received a tip that helped solve the murder. This was the beginning of Crime Stoppers.

As of January 2012, there are over 1,200 Crime Stoppers programs worldwide.  Since 1976, Crime Stoppers has helped solve over 1,369,000 cases and recovered over $10.4 Billion dollars in drugs and stolen property. 

The first Crime Stoppers Program in Canada was formed in Calgary in 1982. Since its inception, Calgary Crime Stoppers has helped to clear over 11,900 criminal cases, recover over $14.5 Million in stolen property and seize more than $258 Million in illegal drugs (as of December 2011).

3:         Who administers the Crime Stoppers program and How is it Funded?

A volunteer Board of Directors administers and oversees the program.  They work in close cooperation with local law enforcement and the media.  Calgary Crime Stoppers is a registered not-for-profit organization and is responsible for raising funds, public awareness and the disbursements of rewards.  Funding and services come from citizens, corporations, clubs, and professional associations, which keep the Crime Stoppers program operational.

4:         How does Crime Stoppers work?

Crime Stoppers has more than one way to assist you in providing the information we need to help solve crimes in our community.

4A:     Via the traditional Phone line:

The Crime Stoppers tip line, 1-800-222-8477, is staffed by trained personnel (24/7) 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.

4B:     Via the World Wide Web:

Persons wanting to provide information on crimes or criminals can now use the Internet, without giving up their anonymity. Logging onto the Calgary Crime Stoppers website (www.ttttips.com) allowing tipsters to simply click and fill in an electronic form with their information. Web Tips are completely anonymous through the use of MS SQL server technology.

4C:     Via SMS Text Messaging:

By sending a SMS Text message to Crime Stoppers provides a convenient and effective way to pass us your information. To text us your information anonymously simply text the keyword “ttttips” and your information to 274637. For more information, please visit www.smscrimetips.com

5:         What happens to my tip:

When a tip file is successfully concluded, the Crime Stoppers Board determines an appropriate award amount based on a number of factors including the value of the information received, the number of persons arrested, the risk to the caller and the amount of drugs or stolen property recovered.

You will be asked to call back to Crime Stoppers for updates on your tip. Tips that lead to an arrest, the recovery of stolen property or the seizure of illegal drugs are eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.00. Directions on how to collect your reward will be provided by Crime Stoppers and will be paid in such a way as to protect your anonymity.

For more details about our programs please contact our executive director at :ph: 403-862-8477 or email: calgarycrimestoppers@gmail.com