ROCKINGHAM - Crime Stoppers is an intriguing organization based upon a relatively straightforward concept.
Two weeks after a July, 1975 shooting fatality at a gas station in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the police still had no leads or clues regarding any suspects in the case. Detective Greg MacAleese subsequently approached a local television station and asked if they would run a re-enactment of the crime, with the City of Albuquerque offering a $1000 reward for pertinent information leading to an arrest. Within 72 hours of the airing, a caller (who wished to remain anonymous) identified the tag number of a vehicle that he witnessed leaving the scene at a high rate of speed. It was this information that ultimately led to the arrest (and conviction) of a suspect.
Crime Stoppers thus focuses upon stimulating the community to get involved in law enforcement through the attraction of a possible monetary reward AND the promise of anonymity (i.e., no fear of retaliation or other negative repercussion).
The primary design of how Crime Stoppers works is twofold. Anyone witnessing a crime or otherwise having any information that may be helpful to law enforcement calls the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 910-997-5454. This is a direct, secure, and unmonitored line; callers never give their name or any other means by which they could be identified, and the system is set up to automatically block incoming numbers.
“We couldn’t figure out who they were even if we wanted to,” says Crime Stoppers Board of Directors Chairman Jeff Avant. “The system just won’t allow for that.”
Rather, the caller is issued a “tip number” and a possible opportunity for a cash reward IF their information leads to an arrest. Rewards are also allotted for tips on missing persons.
It is this double-guarantee of a chance for money and a promise of anonymity that makes Crime Stoppers so successful.
Volunteers process the calls and, upon determining the legitimacy of such, forward information to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
The Richmond County chapter of Crime Stoppers was established in 2000 and continues its mission “To assist law enforcement in providing a safer environment” for the citizenry of Richmond County and the surrounding areas.
Surprising to many is the fact that it is not simply a coalition of law enforcement officers out to do more in relation to fighting crime; Crime Stoppers is an amalgam of a wide variety of citizens. This is especially true in smaller communities such as Richmond County, where most of its members have had little, if any, formal training in law enforcement.
“We have business leaders, members of the media, and ordinary citizens all working together with the law enforcement agencies to help solve crimes,” says Chuck Cobb, a member and former officer of the local Crime Stoppers chapter. “You don’t necessarily have to have had any formal law enforcement training to be a member of Crime Stoppers.”
So how effective is Crime Stoppers? Although no formal study has been conducted as to the statistical effect that the program has had on crime in the county, members offer multiple stories of situations whereby a tip from the community via the hotline led directly to an arrest and, in most cases, a conviction.
“The ones who call in usually know what they are talking about,” says Hamlet Police Chief Scott Waters. “If we deem it to be a credible lead, our officers will investigate, and that normally results in an arrest.”
It is estimated that Crime Stoppers USA, the parent organization under which the Richmond County chapter operates, has been responsible for more than 600,000 arrests as well as more than $4 billion in recovered property and drugs since its inception in 1976. Over $100 million dollars have been paid out in reward money.
Once an arrest has been made, it is up to the original tipster to contact Crime Stoppers again to get updates on the case and to ultimately receive the reward, again using the issued code number.
As Crime Stoppers is a 501c(3) organization, donations are tax deductible. Although some municipalities do budget a “gift allotment” each year for the program, Crime Stoppers is primarily reliant upon dues, grants, and donations from the general public.
Anyone wishing to contribute should send a check to Richmond County Crime Stoppers at Post Office Box 335, Rockingham, NC 28370. More information can be found with a visit to their FaceBook page at Richmond-County-Crime-Stoppers.
