We need your help.
If you know anything about any criminal activity, call Crime Stoppers at 423-9300. No one will ask your name and you may earn a cash reward of up to $5,000 if your information leads to an arrest and felony indictment. You will not be required to testify, and you will never be identified.

Remember, you can make a difference.

Questions and answers about Crime Stoppers
What is Crime Stoppers?
Crime Stoppers is a non-profit program relying on cooperation between the Police Department, news media, and citizens of Monroe County. Crime Stoppers encourages people to call the Police Department with information to solve ANY crimes already committed or those about to occur. Rewards of up to $5,000 are available to callers if the information they supply results in an arrest and indictment of a criminal.

How did Crime Stoppers begin?
In July 1976 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a university student was killed during a gas station robbery. After six weeks of investigation the police had very few leads in the case. Police Detective Greg MacAleese thought that if the people were able to observe a re-enactment of the crime on television, this might lead to someone providing valuable information.

Greg MacAleese was right. A caller contacted the Police Department the next day after seeing the re-enactment. The tip information was enough to lead the police to the two men who were responsible. Within 72 hours of the re-enactment being aired, the police had solved the murder. This was the beginning of Crime Stoppers.

Since the program started in 1976, there are now more than 950 Crime Stoppers programs worldwide. More than 425,000 crimes have been solved since its inception and over $2.9 billion worth of stolen property and narcotics has been seized. Locally, the Rochester Crime Stoppers program also has been very successful. In the past four years, more than 1,880 calls were made to the hotline, and the information from those calls resulted in 361 arrests.

How does Crime Stoppers work?
The Crime Stoppers tip line is manned by trained police personnel who receive, process, and pass on tip information to investigating officers. Callers are given a code number, which is used in all subsequent calls, and callers do not have to identify themselves.

A reward of up to $5,000 is offered to anyone providing information that leads to an arrest and indictment for a crime. Rewards may also be made for information leading to the recovery of stolen property, the seizure of illegal drugs or an arrest on an outstanding warrant.

The media is a very important component of Crime Stoppers. An unsolved crime may be re-enacted and shown on television or may be publicized in a newspaper or aired on the radio. The media also brings the program to the attention of the public.

Who runs the Crime Stoppers program?
Crime Stoppers is governed and administered by a volunteer Board of Directors, a group of local business and professional people concerned with the safety of our community. Crime Stoppers is a non-profit corporation and is responsible for raising funds and the disbursements of rewards. The Board of Directors works in close cooperation with the Police Department and all areas of the media.

What does it cost? How is the Crime Stoppers program funded?
Crime Stoppers is very cost-effective. It’s a Community Project supported by donations of money, goods, and services. Contributions from individuals, private sources, corporations, clubs, professional associations, retailers, and civic and social groups keep the Crime Stoppers program up and running. All donations to Crime Stoppers are tax-deductible.

Who benefits from Crime Stoppers?
We all do. When citizens become involved in policing their community and make a strong contribution in solving crime, Monroe County becomes a better place to live.

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