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{{Short description|Program that allows people to anonymously report crimes}}
{{about |anonymous crime reporting |the Orwellian concept of socially unacceptable thoughts |Thoughtcrime#Crimestop}}
{{about |anonymous crime reporting |the Orwellian concept of socially unacceptable thoughts |Thoughtcrime#Crimestop}}
[[File:NYPD Crime Stoppers Van.JPG|thumb|[[NYPD]] Crime Stoppers Van]]
[[File:NYPD Crime Stoppers Van.JPG|thumb|[[NYPD]] Crime Stoppers Van]]


'''Crime Stoppers''' or '''Crimestoppers''' is a community program that assists people in providing [[Anonymity|anonymous]] information about [[Crime|criminal]] activity. Often managed by non-profit groups or the police, it operates separately from the [[emergency telephone number]] system or other standard methods of contacting police. <ref name="profile">[https://www.crimestoppersusa.org/profile/ Profile] Crime Stoppers USA.</ref> This allows a person to provide crime-solving assistance to the authorities without being directly involved in the investigation process. Founded in the United States in 1976 in [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]], Crime Stoppers later caught on in Australia, Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M5z-vQAACAAJ&q=crimestoppers|title=Crime Stoppers: The Inside Story|last=MacAleese|first=Greg|date=2016-07-12|publisher=CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform|isbn=9781533259721|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lB_aoQEACAAJ&q=crimestoppers|title=What Is Crime Stoppers|last=Millar|first=Cal|date=2014-08-07|publisher=CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform|isbn=9781500645939|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lincoln |first1=Robyn |last2=McGillivray |first2=Laura |date=2019-06-07 |title=Citizen surveil-labour: Analysing Crime Stoppers and its alliance of police, media, and publics |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0004865818786761 |journal=Australian & New Zealand Journal of Criminology |language=en |volume=52 |issue=2 |pages=291–307 |doi=10.1177/0004865818786761 |s2cid=150315403 |issn=0004-8658}}</ref>
'''Crime Stoppers''' or '''Crimestoppers''' is a program, separate from the [[emergency telephone number]] system or other standard methods of contacting police, that allows a member of the [[community]] to provide [[Anonymity|anonymous]] information about [[Crime|criminal]] activity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crimestoppersusa.org/profile/|title=Profile|date=31 July 2016|publisher=}}</ref> This allows a person to provide crime solving assistance to the [[authorities]] without being directly involved in the investigation process. Crime Stopper programs are operated in many communities worldwide.{{Citation needed|date=March 2018}}


The authorities, especially the [[police]], occasionally rely on information from the community about criminal activities or events. Crime Stoppers was developed to enable the public to participate without fear of reprisal and to make it easier for witnesses to volunteer information anonymously.<ref>[https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously Give information anonymously] Crimestoppers UK.</ref><ref>[https://crimestoppers-uk.org/privacy-policy Privacy policy] Crimestoppers UK.</ref><ref name="profile" /><ref>[http://crimestoppersmetroal.com/sitemenu.aspx?P=howitworks&ID=646 How it Works] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030214348/http://crimestoppersmetroal.com/sitemenu.aspx?P=howitworks&ID=646 |date=2020-10-30 }} Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama.</ref> There have been challenges to this aspect.
The authorities, especially the [[police]], sometimes rely on information from the [[General public|public]]. Crime Stoppers was developed to combat the public's fear of reprisals, public apathy, and a reluctance to get involved.{{citation needed|date=March 2014}} The program claims to provide anonymity (callers are given a code number instead of being asked for their name and calls are not traced or recorded) and to pay rewards when their information leads to an arrest and/or conviction.{{citation needed|date=March 2014}} However, in a 2003 California death penalty case in which a defendant had called the tip line himself, taped conversations made by the managers of a tip hotline guaranteeing anonymity were used as evidence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=6609004910554062886|title=People v. Maury (2003) 30 Cal.4th 342 &#91;133 Cal.Rptr.2d 561, 68 P.3d 1&#93; at p. 385 & fn. 10. as cited in Kight v. CashCall, Inc., 200 Cal. App. 4th 1377 - Cal: Court of Appeal, 4th Appellate Dist.|publisher=}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
Crime Stoppers first began in [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]] during July 1976. That month Michael Carmen was fatally shot while he was working at night at a local filling station. After two weeks the police had not been able to gather any information about the killing. [[Detective]] Greg MacAleese approached the local television station to request they film a reconstruction of the crime. When the re-enactment was aired, the police department offered [[United States dollar|US$]]1,000.00 for information leading to the arrest of the killers.{{Citation needed|date=March 2018}} Within 72 hours, a male called in identifying a car which he had seen leaving the scene at high speed; he had noted its registration. The person calling said that he did not want to get involved, so he had not called earlier.
Crime Stoppers first began in [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]] in July 1976. That month, Michael Carmen was fatally shot whilst working the night shift at a local gas station. After two weeks, the police had not been able to gather any information about the murder. [[Detective]] Greg MacAleese approached the local television station to request they film a reconstruction of the crime. When the re-enactment was aired, the police department offered [[United States dollar|US$]]1,000.00 for any information that could potentially lead to the arrest of the perpetrator.{{Citation needed|date=March 2018}} Within 72 hours, a male called in identifying a car which he had seen leaving the scene at high speed; he had noted its registration. The person calling said that he did not want to get involved; therefore, he had not called earlier.


Detective MacAleese realized that fear and apathy often prevented the public from getting involved. He helped design a system by which the public could anonymously provide details of the events. This system focused on stimulating community involvement and participation, and took advantage of electronic media to publicize unsolved crimes. The police offered cash rewards for information leading to an arrest and/or conviction.{{Citation needed|date=March 2018}}
Detective MacAleese realized that fear and apathy often prevented the public from getting involved in investigations. He helped design a system by which the public could anonymously provide details of the events. This system focused on stimulating community involvement and participation, and took advantage of electronic media to publicize unsolved crimes. The police offered cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or conviction.{{Citation needed|date=March 2018}}


Since the first chapter was officially formed in Albuquerque in 1976, Crime Stoppers in the United States has been responsible for more than half a million arrests and more than US$4 billion in recovered property.<ref name= "stats">{{Cite web | url =http://www.crimestopusa.com |work = Crime Stoppers USA | title = Crime Stoppers USA - Welcome | publisher = Crime Stoppers USA | date = February 10, 2010 | accessdate =2010-02-19}}</ref>
Since the first chapter was officially formed in Albuquerque in 1976, Crime Stoppers in the United States has been responsible for more than a million arrests and more than US$11 billion in recovered property.<ref name="stats">{{Cite web |date=January 28, 2024 |title=Crime Stoppers USA - Welcome |url=http://www.crimestopusa.com |access-date=January 28, 2024 |work=Crime Stoppers USA}}</ref>
[[File:Police Land Rover, Belfast - geograph.org.uk - 1451374.jpg|thumb|152x152px|A [[Police Service of Northern Ireland|PSNI]] [[Land Rover Tangi]] with the Crimestoppers number featured. ]]

Various, similar programs exist in [[Canada]] and other countries. While the individual programs are local or regional in nature, mostly run by non-profit groups or directly by police, various national and international umbrella organizations exist. The [[toll-free telephone number]] +1-800-222-TIPS is used to reach various different Crime Stoppers groups in Canada and the U.S., although some groups publish their own numbers.{{Citation needed|date=March 2018}}
Crime Stoppers has since spread to [[Australia]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://crimestoppers.com.au | title=Homepage | publisher=Crime Stoppers Australia | access-date=6 March 2020}}</ref> [[Canada]] and the [[United Kingdom]]. While the individual programs are local or regional in nature, mostly run by non-profit groups or directly by police, various national and international umbrella organizations exist. The [[toll-free telephone number]] +1-800-222-TIPS is used to reach various different Crime Stoppers groups in Canada and the U.S., although some groups publish their own numbers.<ref>[http://crimestoppersmetroal.com/sitemenu.aspx?P=index&ID=646 Contact Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama at 205-254-7777] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418105638/http://www.crimestoppersmetroal.com/sitemenu.aspx?P=index&ID=646 |date=2020-04-18 }} Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama.</ref><ref>[https://crime-stoppers.org/ Call 713-222-TIPS] Crime Stoppers Houston Area.</ref> In the UK, the Crime Stoppers number is 0800 555 111, and in Ireland it is 1800 25 00 25.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Useful Contact Numbers |url=https://www.garda.ie/en/contact-us/useful-contact-numbers/ |publisher=[[Garda Síochána]] |language=en-IE}}</ref> In [[Northern Ireland]], the Crime Stoppers number often features predominantly on the force's vehicles, including its notable [[Land Rover Tangi|Land Rover Tangis.]]


== See also ==
== See also ==
*[[Crime Stoppers Australia]]
*[[Crimestoppers UK]]
*[[Crimestoppers UK]]
*[[Crime Stoppers USA]]
*[[Crime Stoppers USA]]
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== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{Official website|http://www.222tips.com/|Toronto Crime Stoppers CND}}
* {{Official website|http://www.canadiancrimestoppers.org/|Crime Stoppers CND}}
* {{Official website|http://www.canadiancrimestoppers.org/|Crime Stoppers CND}}
* {{Official website|http://www.crimestoppersusa.com/|Crime Stoppers USA}}
* {{Official website|http://www.crimestoppersusa.com/|Crime Stoppers USA}}

Latest revision as of 06:01, 26 October 2024

This article is about anonymous crime reporting. For the Orwellian concept of socially unacceptable thoughts, see Thoughtcrime § Crimestop.
NYPD Crime Stoppers Van

Crime Stoppers or Crimestoppers is a community program that assists people in providing anonymous information about criminal activity. Often managed by non-profit groups or the police, it operates separately from the emergency telephone number system or other standard methods of contacting police. [1] This allows a person to provide crime-solving assistance to the authorities without being directly involved in the investigation process. Founded in the United States in 1976 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Crime Stoppers later caught on in Australia, Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom.[2][3][4]

The authorities, especially the police, occasionally rely on information from the community about criminal activities or events. Crime Stoppers was developed to enable the public to participate without fear of reprisal and to make it easier for witnesses to volunteer information anonymously.[5][6][1][7] There have been challenges to this aspect.

History

[edit]

Crime Stoppers first began in Albuquerque, New Mexico in July 1976. That month, Michael Carmen was fatally shot whilst working the night shift at a local gas station. After two weeks, the police had not been able to gather any information about the murder. Detective Greg MacAleese approached the local television station to request they film a reconstruction of the crime. When the re-enactment was aired, the police department offered US$1,000.00 for any information that could potentially lead to the arrest of the perpetrator.[citation needed] Within 72 hours, a male called in identifying a car which he had seen leaving the scene at high speed; he had noted its registration. The person calling said that he did not want to get involved; therefore, he had not called earlier.

Detective MacAleese realized that fear and apathy often prevented the public from getting involved in investigations. He helped design a system by which the public could anonymously provide details of the events. This system focused on stimulating community involvement and participation, and took advantage of electronic media to publicize unsolved crimes. The police offered cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or conviction.[citation needed]

Since the first chapter was officially formed in Albuquerque in 1976, Crime Stoppers in the United States has been responsible for more than a million arrests and more than US$11 billion in recovered property.[8]

A PSNI Land Rover Tangi with the Crimestoppers number featured.

Crime Stoppers has since spread to Australia,[9] Canada and the United Kingdom. While the individual programs are local or regional in nature, mostly run by non-profit groups or directly by police, various national and international umbrella organizations exist. The toll-free telephone number +1-800-222-TIPS is used to reach various different Crime Stoppers groups in Canada and the U.S., although some groups publish their own numbers.[10][11] In the UK, the Crime Stoppers number is 0800 555 111, and in Ireland it is 1800 25 00 25.[12] In Northern Ireland, the Crime Stoppers number often features predominantly on the force's vehicles, including its notable Land Rover Tangis.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Profile Crime Stoppers USA.
  2. ^ MacAleese, Greg (2016-07-12). Crime Stoppers: The Inside Story. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 9781533259721.
  3. ^ Millar, Cal (2014-08-07). What Is Crime Stoppers. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 9781500645939.
  4. ^ Lincoln, Robyn; McGillivray, Laura (2019-06-07). "Citizen surveil-labour: Analysing Crime Stoppers and its alliance of police, media, and publics". Australian & New Zealand Journal of Criminology. 52 (2): 291–307. doi:10.1177/0004865818786761. ISSN 0004-8658. S2CID 150315403.
  5. ^ Give information anonymously Crimestoppers UK.
  6. ^ Privacy policy Crimestoppers UK.
  7. ^ How it Works Archived 2020-10-30 at the Wayback Machine Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama.
  8. ^ "Crime Stoppers USA - Welcome". Crime Stoppers USA. January 28, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  9. ^ "Homepage". Crime Stoppers Australia. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  10. ^ Contact Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama at 205-254-7777 Archived 2020-04-18 at the Wayback Machine Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama.
  11. ^ Call 713-222-TIPS Crime Stoppers Houston Area.
  12. ^ "Useful Contact Numbers". Garda Síochána.
[edit]
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