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 "Crime of the Week" 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.

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 capabilities 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.

Reward Eligibility

Any tips that "lead" to arrest, charges being filed, or indictment are eligible for a reward.  An eligible tip is presented to the board for Victoria Crime Stoppers and they vote to approve reward payment and on the amount of the reward. 

On occasion, a tipster themselves may be ineligible to receive a reward.  Members of Law Enforcement, their families, victims of the crime being solved, their family, perpetrators or co-perpetrators of the crime being solved or the fugitive being sought, or informants funneled to the program. 

What do we mean by "lead"?

In most circumstances, the earliest and most correct tip will be the tip that "leads" to arrest, charges being filed, or indictment.  For example:

John Doe is wanted.  Two tipsters call in, one at 8pm and the second at 9pm.  They both give the same address.  Officers go to the address and are able to arrest Mr. Doe.  The first tip received will be the one eligible for a reward.

In a similar example, let's say the second tip had a different address and it was that address that the officers found Mr. Doe at.  In that case, since the earlier tip was wrong, it would be the second tip that was eligible.

Victoria Crime Stoppers strives to be responsible with the money entrusted to us.

Structure and Funding of Crime Stoppers

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, fund raising, and money from probation fees. NO TAX DOLLARS are involved. The reward money paid out by the program is from these sources.

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.