Crimestoppers is a program separate from the emergency telephone number system, that allows a member of the community to provide anonymous information about criminal activity. It thereby allows the person to provide crime solving assistance to the authorities without being directly involved in the investigation process. That person could also be eligible for a reward if the reported information results in an arrest and/or prosecution. Crime Stopper programs are operated in many communities worldwide.
The authorities, especially the police, cannot solve many crimes on their own. Forensic science and investigative skills are vital, along with information from the public. Crime Stoppers recognizes that someone other than criminals may have information about crime, and was developed to combat the public's fear of reprisals, public apathy, and a reluctance to get involved. The program provides anonymity (callers are given a code number instead of being asked for their name and calls are not traced or recorded) and pays rewards when their information leads to an arrest and/or conviction.
History
Crime Stoppers first began in Albuquerque, New Mexico during July 1976 which saw the fatal shooting of a university co-ed working one night at a local filling station. After two weeks the police had no information when out of desperation Detective Greg MacAleese approached the local television station requesting a reconstruction of the crime. The re-enactment offered US$ 1,000.00 for information leading to the arrest of the killers.
Within 72 hours, a person called in identifying a car leaving the scene at high speed and he had noted its registration. The person calling said that he did not want to get involved so he had not called earlier. Detective MacAleese then realized that fear and apathy were the primary reasons why the public tended not to get involved. So he helped design a system where the public could anonymously provide details of the events. To overcome these he targeted three areas of need: stimulating community involvement and participation, taking advantage of every possible media opportunity, especially electronic media, to publicise unsolved crimes; and offering cash rewards for information leading to an arrest and/or conviction.
Since its 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.
Crimestoppers New Zealand
Overtime Crimestoppers became successful in the US and UK and was established in NZ as a result of the theft of the Victoria Crosses from Army Museum. This bought together Lord Ashcroft, who provided a reward for the medals return, and the Commissioner of Police and gave the impetus for the establishment of Crimestoppers New Zealand. The medals were returned undamaged.
Who we are
We are an independent charity established to assist the Police and other law enforcement agencies to catch criminals and solve crimes in order to have safer communities and better business environments.
This is achieved by offering a number to contact 0800 555 111 or the online message form for those individuals who wish to provide information about crime anonymously. This anonymity empowers the individual to do something about crime in their community without endangering themselves.
Intent
The intent is to empower individuals and businesses to legally combat crime that effects them. The aim is to have communities feel safe and secure, businesses and public organisations are able to operate efficiently and effectively. Criminals are having an increasingly pervasive effect on the lives of New Zealander’s families and businesses. We lockup our houses, businesses and cars, grip firmly our wallets/purses, worry about security of credit/Eftpos cards and passwords, suspicious of unsolicited emails, cautious about investment options, threatened by increasing availability of drugs, disgusted at wilful damage around us and conscious of where we walk at night.
http://www.crimestoppers-nz.org/
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