How it Works
Put simply it is a three part approach to solving the crime problem. Crime Stoppers relies on cooperation between the police, the media, and the general community to provide a flow of information about crime and criminals.
The Phone Call
Calls are received at the local Crime Stoppers tips line phone. This phone is a stand alone instrument which does not provide caller ID, and conversations are not recorded. The Crime Stoppers police or civilian Coordinator receiving the information completes the tips information form, makes initial inquiries and then passes the information to the investigating officer. Calls are accepted regarding any publicized request for information, such as fugitives in your local newspaper or television, or such other 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 the prospect of retribution. By offering cash rewards for information leading to indictment or arrests, the program encourages otherwise reluctant callers to provide information.
Here are some frequently asked questions:
How do I remain anonymous?
When you call the toll-free tips hotline, you will not be asked for your name, where you live, or how you got the tip. The call center does not have call display or electronic recording devices. You will be given a "tip number" that corresponds to the crime being reported.
How does the online submission process work?
When you submit a tip through our website, your form is sent using state of the art software through a Secure Socket Connection (SSL). Tips submitted through this website are encrypted, entirely confidential, completely anonymous and are immediately and securely transferred directly to our Crime Stoppers offices. After submitting your tip, you will be provided with your own unique ID number that you will use when checking on the status of your tip or picking up your reward.
Isn't using E-mail to submit a tip the same as using the online submission form?
Quite simply, the answer is NO. E-mail transmissions are not secure and will not protect your anonymity. Although E-mail transmissions are an effective method of communication, they pass through several servers prior to arriving at their final destination and are subject to possible hijacking, hacking or other forms of malicous attack. To submit a tip online, be sure to use our submit a tip page
The Online WebTip
Tipsters now have the option of giving us tips online. The process is completely secure and anonymous and is a very effective and efficient means of safely communicating with us in today's world. Our WebTip process is powered by the world's leading online tip solution provider, Anderson Software.
The very unique integrated Two-Way Dialog capabilties allow the tipster to come back and provide additional information to their tip at any time, but also provides a secure means for the coordinator to ask questions or provide reward information back to the tipster through the same secure and encrypted interface.
Crime Stopper Programs are organized as a not for profit organization (Charity). A civilian community board of directors provides direction as to the financial and promotional activities of the program. The board of directors enhances the community involvement aspect, and its function is vital to the programs success.
The Crime Stoppers program is funded by private donations and fund raising. NO TAX DOLLARS are involved. The reward money paid out by the program is from the fund raising and donations from concerned citizens and businesses.
A community board of directors, made up of persons from throughout the area, meets on a monthly basis to evaluate arrests and to decide on the size of rewards to be paid, up to $1,000. Rewards are then distributed in a private manner to the callers. Callers are eligible for rewards up to $1,000, but, despite this, many callers choose not to collect their rewards.
Does Crime Stoppers Work?
The answer is quite simply yes. Since the start of Crime Stoppers, many calls have been received resulting in thousands of arrests and recovery of substantial amounts of property. Calls have included information about murder, robbery, rape, assaults, drug and firearm offenses.
The success of a Crime Stoppers program cannot be purely judged on statistics, however, other benefits have come to notice:
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A greater awareness in the community that there is a crime problem.
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A willingness by the community to fight back against crime if it is given the opportunity and motivation.
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Improved relationships between police, media, and the community.
Crime Stoppers is definitely here to stay. It has been accepted by police as a valid and effective investigative tool and the public, through its overwhelming response, appears to have accepted it as a more palatable alternative to traditional methods of giving information.
Request additional program information
If you would like additional information about the Crime Stoppers of Suwannee County program, please e-mail us at suwanneecrimestoppers@gmail.com
Schedule a speaker
If your organization would like to have a Suwannee County Crime Stopper Board Member speak at its next function, please send a request via e-mail to suwanneecrimestoppers@gmail.com. Please include pertinent details about the organization and the function.
Request Suwannee County Crime Stopper Materials
Suwannee County Crime Stopper bumper stickers, tip cards and yard signs are available to community organizations. Please send your request via e-mail to suwanneecrimestoppers@gmail.com Please include pertinent details about the organization and the type and number of materials needed.