Crime Stoppers

What is Crime Stoppers? 
Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization operated by a volunteer community board of directors. Crime Stoppers encourages the reporting of information or leads which can assist law enforcement with solving crimes. Its goal is to help in the fight against crime but it is not part of the local police or sheriff's department. Generally a law enforcement coordinator participates as an advisor to the board but is a non-voting member. The citizen's board is responsible for operations of the program, fund raising, public relations, and approval of rewards.

How Does It Work? 

The responsibility for establishing policy, raising funds and for controlling the amount of reward payments rests with a Board of Directors made up of involved citizens. When a call is received by CRIME STOPPERS , it is logged with the date, time, and a brief summary of the callers information. Callers are furnished with a secret code number which is used in subsequent transactions.

Callers may remain anonymous, with no pressure to reveal their identity and still collect their rewards.

If a caller's information results in the arrest and the filing of criminal charges against a felony crime offender or the apprehension of a felony fugitive, arrangements will be made so that the caller receives a reward in $CASH$ and anonymity is preserved.

The Board of Directors oversees the program and approves the rewards to be paid, based on information presented by the Police Coordinator.

Crime Stopper Forms

Crime Stoppers Tip Form

Crime Stoppers Drug Related Form

Crime Stoppers School Related & Bullying Form

Crime Stoppers Suspect Form

Crime Stoppers Wanted/Fugitive Form

Crime Stopper Abuse Form

Crime Stoppers Weapons Form

Where does Crime Stoppers get the funds to operate and pay rewards? 
All funds used by local Crime Stoppers organizations to pay rewards or to cover operating expenses are raised in the local community. Most of the funds raised come through donations from citizens and businesses in the community. Crime Stoppers also uses a variety of fund raising events (golf outings, bake sales, ad sales, etc.) to help raise funds. Volunteers run the program and there are no wage related expenses. When they are available, law enforcement grants are also utilized to assist each program for such needs as a computer purchase or to pay rewards.

How effective is Crime Stoppers? 
Crime Stoppers has been very effective in Wisconsin communities. Since 1990 the local Wisconsin Crime Stoppers organizations have accounted for 7,435 arrests solving 7,945 outstanding cases, recovered $2.6 million in stolen property and confiscated $5.3 million in narcotics. $732,000 in rewards was paid to individuals providing information anonymously to solve those cases.

Why has the Crime Stoppers program been so successful?

• The program has been successful because it provides cash rewards to overcome apathy and provides anonymity to overcome fear of retribution.
• The program involves the efforts of the public, the media, and law enforcement in a coordinated effort to fight crime. The public operates the program in the form of a board of directors. The media publicizes the Crime Stoppers program and allows it to maintain a high profile in the community. And law enforcement utilizes the information received to solve crimes.
• People want to live in safe communities and willingly use a program that helps fight crime.

Are donations to a Crime Stoppers organization tax deductible? 
Donations to the Wisconsin State Crime Stoppers and to all local programs organized as 501c(3) non-profit organizations are tax deductible.

Crime Stoppers Nationwide 

There are over 600 CRIME STOPPERS programs nationwide. Over 77,000 defendants have been convicted as a result of CRIME STOPPERS tips.

Calls to Crime Stoppers have helped solve crimes related to:

• Bank Robberies
• Capture Fugitives
• Burglaries
• Vandalism
• Auto Theft
• Armed Robbery
• Drug Trafficking
• Homicide

The Iowa County Crime Stoppers tip line is 608-319-6703.

Please help the Iowa County Crime Stoppers by becoming involved in the Crime Stoppers program or by providing support with your donations.