Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization of citizens against crime. If you have any information
regarding any criminal activity, call (316) 775-0055! Remember, we do not subscribe to caller i.d.
and no one will ever ask your name. You could be eligible for up to a $1000.00 reward if your
information leads to an arrest.
What is Crime Stoppers?
Crime Stoppers began in Albuquerque, New Mexico in September of 1976. In July of 1976, a young
university student named Michael Carmen was working in a small gas station in Albuquerque. Two
weeks before his wedding he was working the late shift to help a friend. Two men robbed the
station and senselessly shot and killed the young man. This was part of a series of armed robberies
against gas stations.
A local detective felt that the robberies were being committed by local people, and he believed
that someone within the community knew who was responsible. However, no one was willing to talk.
After six weeks with no leads, the detective established a "Hot Line" that anyone could
call and pass on information anonymously. He persuaded local businesses to fund the reward and
the local television station agreed to broadcast a re-enactment, publicize details, and release
information regarding the phone number. The idea of allowing the informant to remain anonymous
was entirely new.
Within 72 hours information was provided and two people were arrested, and later convicted,
of Carmen's murder. In addition, the detective received information on many other crimes, and
cleared six other armed robberies. This persuaded him to try the scheme on a regular basis, stressing
anonymity and rewards, which now is the basis of the Crime Stoppers program.
Since the inception, Crime Stoppers now spans throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and
the United Kingdom. There are over 1200 chapters now. The programs, to date, have helped solve
many crimes, from murder to drug trafficking to sexual assaults to name a few. In addition, the
program has prevented school shooting and criminal acts by terrorist organizations.
Since 1976, Crime Stoppers programs have been responsible for the arrest of around 600,000 individuals and
has led to the seizure of close to $7 billion in stolen property and illicit drugs.
Why Do We Need Crime Stoppers?
Crime Stoppers is based on the principal that "Someone other than the criminal has information
that can solve a crime" and was created to combat the three major problems faced by law
enforcement in generating that information:
» Fear of REPRISAL
» An attitude of APATHY
» Reluctance to get INVOLVED
Crime Stoppers resolves these problems by:
» Offering ANONYMITY to people who provide information about crimes.
» Paying REWARDS when the information supplied leads to arrest.
Three Essential Elements Make Up a Crime Stopper Program
THE COMMUNITY
Citizens are responsible for forming a Crime Stoppers non-profit corporation, whose directors
establish policy, determine amount and method of reward payments, work closely with the police
and the media and generally oversee the program. The directors are also responsible for fund
raising, and all volunteer service. Tax money is not sought.
THE MEDIA
Crime Stoppers methods, objectives, successes and phone numbers are publicized on a regular
basis by the media. An unsolved "Crime of the Week" is given special treatment with details
published in newspapers, on radio and in certain cases a re-enactment on television.
THE POLICE
A special Crime Stoppers phone with a well publicized number is provided to the community.
Callers are assigned a special Code number and NEVER give their names. If, after the
investigation, the information leads to an arrest, the caller is entitled to a reward.
