How it Works

** CRIME STOPPERS IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR CALLING 911 IN AN EMERGENCY. THE CRIME STOPPERS SYSTEM IS NOT CONSTANTLY MONITORED AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR REAL-TIME DISPATCHING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, DIAL 911**

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

Phone tips are received by Crime Stoppers on the telephone tip line. This phone line connects to a call center, which does not use caller ID, and conversations are not recorded (Tips can also be submitted over the internet or by mobile app - see below). The call center then sends the tip information electronically (through the secure P3 Global Tip Management System) to the Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida Law Enforcement Coordinator. The Crime Stoppers Law Enforcement Coordinator receiving the tip information from the call center, makes initial inquiries to verify the validity of the tip information and then passes the information to the investigating agency in the appropriate jurisdiction. Tips are accepted regarding any publicized request for information, such as "Crime of the Week" or for any other crime(s) the caller has knowledge of, including wanted persons.

Once law enforcement has completed their investigation, they will report the outcome back to the Crime Stoppers Coordinator. If the information in the tip directly led to an arrest, you will be eligible for a reward. Tips will not qualify for rewards unless the information is not already known by law enforcement and the information is crucial to the arrest. As a result, the more information you can provide, the better your chances of getting paid... be specific!!! All recommended rewards are presented to the Crime Stoppers Board of Directors for approval.

In order to receive a reward, you must remain anonymous. Do not include your identifying information in your tip.

If you are approved to receive a reward, Crime Stoppers has an anonymous reward system in place so you can receive your cash reward completely anonymously. DO NOT LOSE YOUR TIP NUMBER AND/OR PASSWORDS FOR THE TIPS YOU SUBMIT. THESE NUMBERS ARE THE ONLY WAY FOR US TO CONFIRM YOU SUBMITTED THE TIP AND GET YOU PAID!!!

By guaranteeing a caller's anonymity Crime Stoppers allows the caller to give information in a positive atmosphere without the risk of retribution. By offering cash rewards for information leading to an 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.

The Mobile App

The newest addition to the Crime Stoppers toolbox is the mobile app, for smartphones or tablets. The app is available for Android and iOS platforms and can be downloaded from our website, or from the Apple or Google Play stores under "P3 Tips". Once you download the app, you'll have to set it up the first time you use it, then you are ready to send in tip information directly from your phone! Remember - You can upload photos and video directly into your tip when you submit it, so if you have pictures or video of a suspect, vehicle or anything else make sure to attach it to your tip.

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 a Crime Stoppers Grant Fund administered through the Florida Attorney General's Office. NO TAX DOLLARS are involved (The Crime Stoppers grant is funded by money collected through the criminal justice system specifically for that purpose).

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 amounts of rewards to be paid, up to $5,000. Rewards are then distributed in an anonymous manner to the callers. Callers are eligible for rewards up to $5,000, 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 offenses.

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.