CRIME STOPPERS

When a criminal case is not solved within a reasonable length of time, the trail becomes cold, and the crime becomes increasingly hard to solve.  Frequently, citizens possess key information that could aid the police in solving the crime.  In many cases, however, they do not contact the police out of fear they will expose themselves to acts of retaliation by the criminal.

The Crime Stoppers Program provides a method of overcoming this limitation by allowing any citizen supplying information to remain completely anonymous.  Crime Stoppers Programs, operating internationally, have an impressive track record since the inception of the first program in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1976.  The number of programs has grown to 1100 in the United States and five foreign countries.

Established in 1992, and chartered by the State of Texas, Brazoria County Crime Stoppers is a private, non-profit organization that accepts donations and distributes rewards to persons with information that results in the resolution of a case.   The coordinator receives the call, gathers the information, and passes it on to the appropriate law enforcement agency.  In Brazoria County, the coordinator is an officer in the Angleton Police Department.  The day to day business is managed by a Board of Directors working in conjunction with the coordinator.

Brazoria County Crime Stoppers allows a crime tip call to be made from any location with no charge to the informant by calling 1-800-460-2222.  Up to $300 reward may be made for information leading to an arrest resulting in a felony indictment.  Rewards are also paid to area students who provide anonymous tips to school officials about criminal activity on their school campus.  The actual amount paid for information is based upon the severity of the crime, the number of cases solved, the number of people arrested and the value of any property recovered.  The amount of each reward is determined by the Board of Directors, based on a recommendation by the coordinator.

The main body of Texas Crime Stopper legislation is found in Chapter 41 of the Government Code which was effective on September 1, 1987.  Included in the establishment of the Crime Stoppers Advisory Council within the Justice Department of the Governor's office.

CRIME DOES NOT PAY—CRIME STOPPERS DOES

Brazoria County Crimestoppers