| Crimestoppers of Morgan and Scott County (217) 243-7300 |
| Crimestoppers is a citizen, media and police cooperative program designed to involve the public in the fight against crime. Crimestoppers provides citizens with the ability to anonymously supply the police with information about a crime or potential crime of which they have knowledge. Cash rewards of up to $1,000.00 are offered to people who call the program, if their information leads to an arrest. |
The History of Crimestoppers
Crimestoppers began in July, 1976, Albuquerque, New Mexico, when a university student was killed during a gas station robbery. After six weeks of investigation the police had very few leads as to who was responsible for the homicide. Police Detective Greg MacAleese thought that if the public was able to observe a re-enactment of the crime on television this may lead to a citizen providing information that may lead to an arrest. Detective MacAleese was right. A caller contacted the police department the next day after seeing the re-enactment. The tip information was enough to lead the police to two men who were responsible. Within 72 hours of the re-enactment being aired on television, the police had solved the murder. This was the beginning of Crimestoppers.
Since the program started, there are now more than 950 Crimestopper programs worldwide. More than 425,000 crimes have been solved since Crimestoppers inception and approximately three billion dollars worth of stolen property and narcotics have been seized. Locally the Morgan-Scott county Crimestoppers program has been very successful. |
How Crimestoppers Works
The Crimestopper tip line is staffed twenty-four hours a day. Callers are given a code number which is used in all subsequent calls; therefore callers are identified by the number and do not have to identify themselves. A reward of up to $1,000.00 is offered to anyone providing information which leads to an arrest for a crime, information leading to the recovery of stolen property, the seizure of illegal drugs, or an arrest on an outstanding warrant.
The media is a very important component of Crimestoppers. An unsolved crime may be publicized on the radio on in the newspaper which informs the community of the unsolved crime. |
Program Funding and Administration
Crimestoppers, a non-profit program, is administered by a volunteer board of directors who are responsible for raising funds and the disbursing rewards. The board of directors work in close cooperation with police agencies in the service area. Crimestoppers funding is supported by donations and fund raisers. Contributions from individuals, private sources, corporations, clubs, etc. are accepted. Fund raisers are held from time to time to raise money. Popular Morgan-Scott county Crimestopper fund raisers are the breakfast buffet fund raiser and the country music show, both of which are held annually. Crimestoppers also hosts "Pack the Place" Nights at various restaurants in the two county area, as well as skate nights at the Eight Wheeler Roller Rink in Jacksonville.
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