What is Crime Stoppers Atlanta?
Crime Stoppers Atlanta is a collaborative program that brings together the Atlanta-area law enforcement agencies, the community and the media to solve crime. A program of the Atlanta Police Foundation, Crime Stoppers Atlanta is dedicated to the reduction of crime, to the prompt solution of crimes, and to rewarding persons who provide information that leads to the arrest of criminals.
The Atlanta Police Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation whose mission is to support the Mayor, the Chief of Police, and the Atlanta Police Department in the shared commitment to make Atlanta the safest and most inviting city for all its residents, workers, and visitors.
How Does Crime Stoppers Work?
Crime Stoppers utilizes a collaborative, multimedia approach to solving crime. This approach is designed to gather information about unsolved crimes through the cooperation of the local community, law enforcement and the media. Concerned Atlanta citizens are encouraged to call the anonymous Crime Stoppers Atlanta Tip-line at (404) 577-TIPS or go to the Crime Stoppers Atlanta website with information that may lead to apprehension and arrest of a person who has committed a reported crime. In addition, each week, details concerning a fugitive or unsolved crime are publicized to the local television, newspaper and radio stations. This is known as the "Crime of the Week" and can result in a reward up to $2,000 to the individual who supplied the information needed to solve the crime.
When an individual has information about the crime of the week or other unsolved crimes, they simply have to pick up the telephone and call the Crime Stoppers Tip-line, or submit a tip via the Crime Stoppers Atlanta Website. After giving the tip to the call-taker or submitting it online, the caller or submitter is assigned a special code number with no names given. Instructions are given to call the tip-line again at a later date to find out if the information qualifies for a reward. If the information does qualify for an award, the caller is given information regarding where and how to anonymously pick up their reward.
Why Is Crime Stoppers Different?
The two main reasons people do not give out information are:
1. They are afraid of retaliation.
2. They don't want to get involved.
Crime Stoppers works around these problems by providing a toll-free number which allows callers to remain completely anonymous. Crime Stoppers also adds the incentive of a cash reward whenever the information given leads to an arrest.
How Is The Program Administered?
Crime Stoppers is administered through a collaborative effort between Atlanta area law enforcement agencies, the community and the media and is headed up by the Atlanta Police Foundation. A civilian Advisory Council makes decisions regarding the amount of the reward, and which informant(s) merit reward money. (In some cases more than one informant can contribute to solving a crime.) In addition, The Crime Stoppers Law Enforcement Task Force serves in an advisory capacity to make recommendations to the Atlanta Police Foundation and the Advisory Council.
How is the Program Funded?
Contributions come from Atlanta area businesses, corporations, residents and citizens. Crime Stoppers is a program of the Atlanta Police Foundation, a non-profit organization under Section 501(C) 3 of the IRS Code, so all contributions are tax deductible. If you are interested in supporting Crime Stoppers, Donate on-line or mail Contributions to the Atlanta Police Foundation, 200 The Candler Building, 127 Peachtree Street, Atlanta Georgia 30303, (404) 586-0180. All donations are tax deductible.