Crimestoppers Act
The Crime Stoppers originated in 1976 as a means to help law enforcement agencies prevent and solve crimes. Such programs receive support through law enforcement agencies, the media, and the community. All programs are nonprofit, and any contributions given are tax-deductible. Crime Stopping programs exist on an international level as well as within schools. Anyone who offers information that leads to an arrest by contacting a Crime Stoppers program shall remain anonymous and receive a cash reward.
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Purpose
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The purpose of Crime Stoppers is to provide safety for those who wish to report, or supply information, about a crime. Citizens who report any information relating to a crime will remain anonymous and, if their information leads to an arrest, they will be rewarded with a payment of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers programs are supported through public funds and work alongside law enforcement agencies to solve crimes and bring criminals to justice. Websites allow people to look at a list of wanted fugitives. The websites also give information on what crimes the fugitives have committed.
Early History
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The first Crime Stoppers program was developed on September 8, 1976. The idea itself came from an Albuquerque detective who felt that individuals might be of assistance in solving unsolved crimes if properly protected and rewarded. The media, as well as law enforcement agencies, promoted the idea. As of today, Crime Stoppers programs can be found around the world and are represented by the United States, Europe, Australia, Canada and Latin America.
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Requirements
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Crime Stoppers programs must register within the state as a nonprofit organization and have a volunteer board of directors. Proper Internal Revenue Service filing must be done in order for the program to become tax-exempt, and each program must offer tax-deductible contributions. A program coordinator must be supplied by a law enforcement agency. All programs must also offer phone lines that allow callers to remain anonymous and have the ability to pay a cash reward of at most $1,000.
Reporting
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Anyone who reports a crime will remain anonymous. Individuals who report a crime, or provide information about a crime, to their local Crime Stoppers program shall receive a secret number that will ensure that they remain anonymous during the entire process. Those who call must be able to provide information such as the type of crime that was committed, the time and place of the crime, and any physical descriptions available about the suspect as well as their name, if known. Crime Stoppers programs will also forward information about known fugitives to those who want to help.
Schools
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Crime Stoppers programs in schools originated at a Boulder, Colorado, high school in 1983, and since such programs in high schools, middle schools, and colleges have expanded to more than 2,000 in the United States alone. Like other Crime Stoppers programs, students who report or supply information about a crime shall remain anonymous. Student boards are designed to promote the program as well as determine what type of reward can be offered to those who help prevent school related crimes. Any information about a crime will be properly investigated before arrests or punishments are determined.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit police 2 image by Nathalie P from Fotolia.com the person at a window. image by Andrey Armyagov from Fotolia.com
