What is Crime Stoppers and how does it work?

            Crime Stoppers is a cooperation between the community, the media and law enforcement in which anonymous citizens, called “tipsters,” with knowledge of a crime or criminal can tell local law enforcement the information without revealing who they are.  If the information leads to an arrest and grand jury indictment of one or more suspects, the tipster can be eligible to receive a cash reward for up to $1,000. 

How can I get paid without revealing who I am?

            When a tipster contacts Crime Stoppers they are assigned a unique number to identify themselves.  If the information provided qualifies for a reward, when the tipster re-contacts and identifies themselves by their number, they are given an additional code word to claim their reward.  The tipster then uses the number and secret code word to identify themselves to the Crime Stoppers contact they meet in person who pays the tipster in cash.  The Crime Stoppers contact is not an Officer and will never ask the tipster any personal information other than the number and code word.

How do I know that my call will not reveal who I am?

            The Crime Stoppers tipline (572-4200) does not have caller ID or any form of recording device.  Crime Stoppers is careful not to ask for information that will reveal the identity of the tipster.  When the local Crime Stoppers coordinator is not available, the calls are forwarded to a call center in another city that is specially equipped to handle Crime Stoppers calls in the same manner as the local office.

I'm still afraid my voice may be recognized.  Is there any OTHER way for me to provide information?

            Yes! Tipsters now have the option of giving us tips online. The process is completely secure and anonymous and is a very effective and efficient way to safely communicate with us in today's world.  Look for the tip-submit button on the navigation bar to the left.  The very unique integrated Two-Way Dialog capabilties 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. 

   Tipsters can also text message thier tips to Crime Stoppers by sending a message to 274637 (CRIMES).  Simply begin the message with "TIP238" to make sure it is delivered to Victoria Crime Stoppers.  If your message is for a crime or criminal outside Victoria County, Texas, you will need to check with that community to see what to start the message with.

Who is this Crime Stoppers Coordinator, is that an Officer?

             The local Crime Stoppers Coordinator is Detective Eisman.  He has worked for the Victoria Police Department since 2003.  However, as the anonymity of the tipsters is crucial to the success of this program, his duty is to collect information about the crime or criminal, not the tipster.

Why is the Coordinator an Officer?

            As an Officer, the Coordinator has knowledge of crimes, local criminals and access to information that a civilian coordinator may not have access to.  This allows the coordinator to process the tip before it is passed on to the Officer assigned to the case.  This helps the assigned Officer use the tips more efficiently and saves time.

Is Crime Stoppers a Police Department Division?

            Yes and no.  Crime Stoppers is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation guided by an all-volunteer board of directors.  This corporation works in cooperation with local law enforcement.  The Victoria Police Department's role in this cooperation is to provide an office, certain equipment and a coordinator to perform the day-to-day operations of the corporation.  That coordinator, Detective Eisman, is an experienced Police Officer who is also responsible to the Crime Stoppers Corporation.

If Crime Stoppers is a non-profit corporation, how is it funded?  Are tax dollars used to pay the rewards?

            No taxes are used to fund Crime Stoppers Programs. Some of the equipment and services used by Crime Stoppers can be funded through grants from the Governor’s Office. A small amount of income comes from probation fees paid to the state by those convicted of crimes.    However, most of the money for paying rewards and operating expenses comes from tax-deductible contributions to Victoria Crime Stoppers from concerned citizens and businesses.  Crime Stoppers also holds occasional fund raisers to make sure there is always enough money in the budget to reward tipsters.  Your tax-deductible contributions can be mailed to Crime Stoppers at PO Box 4200, Victoria, TX 77903.

Why is Crime Stoppers needed?

            Crime Stoppers is based on the principal that “someone other than the criminal has information that can solve a crime.”  Unfortunately, these citizens are often reluctant to contact law enforcement due to fear or apathy.  Crime Stoppers overcomes these reasons, by providing anonymity to reduce fear, information to encourage involvement and the possibility of cash rewards to overcome apathy.