• What is Crime Stoppers?
Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization of citizens against crime. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards of up to $1000 to anyone furnishing anonymous information that leads to the arrest of criminals, including those committing serious felony crimes, and fugitives.

Information is received through anonymous Crime Stoppers tips that are received through a secure tips line or through a secure web connection manned by a professional program coordinator.

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• TipSoft SMS Tips
The Greater Beloit Area Crime Stoppers now has the ability to accept tips from cell phones and other mobile cellular devises.

TipSoft SMS is a Text-a-Tip application which allows tipsters to anonymously submit information to the Greater Beloit Area Crime Stoppers.

The Crime Stopper has to enter the numbers 274637, compose SMS text by typing in BACS + their message. The Crime Stopper can also send photos and videos with information. A number is assigned to the Crime Stopper to be able to track the tip.

For information on how TipSoft works, one can log onto the web www.smscrimetips.com

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• The Beloit Crime Stoppers were out and about for the Christmas Parade in Beloit.
The board members were dressed up as Men in Black - Returns. The board members were showing off the new trailer which is used for the annual Cruise Night event, and also to haul the supplies for the graffitti cleanup. Pictured from L to R, Bob Fluegel, Tom Niman, Duane Drevdahl, Paulette Christensen, Stephanie West, Mark Rand, and Jean Whitcomb. Kneeling: Tom Fluegel, McGruff the Crime Dog (Brett Macy) and Sean Macy.

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The Greater Beloit Area Crime Stoppers is Supported in part by the above Sponsor

How the Crime Stoppers Programs Work

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.

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 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 offences.

The success of a Crime Stoppers program cannot be purely judged on statistics, however, other benefits have come to notice:

• A greater awareness in the community that there is a crime problem.
  
  
• A willingness by the community to fight back against crime if it is given the opportunity and motivation.
  
  
• 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.

Call our 24/7 Tip Line 608-362-7463