Campus Crime Stoppers
Campus Crime Stoppers
As you probably know, the expertise of specially trained school resource officers has been invaluable when assigned to a campus where they know the students well. With the spotlight on school safety and rising acts of violence in schools and businesses, the relationships built with students by our SROs, the intelligence gathering process, and everyone's preparedness are more important than ever.
For many years our organization has used donated funds to offer you the "Campus Crime Stoppers" program free of charge in every school within Pitt County (to include private and charter schools) as one tool to assist both schools and law enforcement with their efforts to keep our children safe and the schools orderly. The program offers cash rewards to students and even adults for stepping up when they know something important involving school safety. As you know, safe campuses take teamwork!
Each year we pay out hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars anonymously to students (in total) who make a difference by making the right decision when it is most needed. Our Campus Crime Stoppers tips will result in the seizure of weapons and drugs, the recovery of stolen property, and the successful closure of other serious cases.
How Does Campus Crime Stoppers Work?
Our Campus Crime Stoppers program operates much like our standard community-based program but has a few modifications to be far more user-friendly and impactful specific to the school environment.
- Students/parents/teachers/community/etc. can still call in tips to the tipline just like in our traditional program, (252) 758-7777. Any information received will be routed to the SRO who covers that school or to a school administrator if it is non-criminal and no SRO is stationed there.
- Everyone can also submit tips online at www.crimestopper.org or by using the P3Tips phone app. Any information received will be routed to the SRO who covers that school or to a school administrator if it is non-criminal and no SRO is stationed there.
- However, we all know that school administrators, teachers, and SROs form bonds with students. They are right there and get information in real time, when things can be put in place to stop harmful acts or to respond to them without any delays. This is when tips really matter. So, when students approach teachers, administrators, their SRO, or even their own parents, instead of doing a "formal" route of calling a number, please know that it does not hinder the reward process at all. We rely on it and even recommend it as the best option. The goal is quick and accurate information, not a specific route. We can worry about rewards on the back end, let’s get the information and make the school safe... THAT is what is important.
We have all seen the tragedy unfold on television when unprecedented violence erupts on a school campus. This program means everything to us with hope that if we achieve nothing else of our mission, that we can at least protect these most precious of lives with all we have.