Crime Stoppers

CRIME STOPPERS' ORIGIN
The Crime Stoppers concept originated in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1976. By combining a reward offer with a television reenactment, Detective Greg MacAleese quickly solved a homicide. This successful concept has since grown into Crime Stoppers International, which serves as a resource to hundreds of local programs.

BOISE AREA CRIME STOPPERS
In 1981 Boise area community and law enforcement leaders established Boise Crime Stoppers - a program administered by a volunteer civilian board of directors. This program is funded by community donations and fund-raising activities.

In July of 1999 Boise Crime Stoppers and Nampa Crime Stoppers merged becoming Boise Area Crime Stoppers.  They now include all of Ada and Canyon counties.  Boise Area Crime Stoppers takes tips from the Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell areas as well as surrounding communities.  Crime Stoppers works closely with all agencies. Board members are also recruited from these areas.

Daily operations are managed by a police coordinator who serves as a liaison between the board, the media, and law enforcement.

MEDIA SUPPORT As an integral part of Boise Area Crime Stoppers, the Boise Area media volunteer production and airtime for the reenactment of major crimes which have few or no leads. These crimes are selected according to their severity and solvability.

The Crime of the Week reenactment will offer a challenge to the coordinator and the television station. This form of appeal is an extremely important component to the Crime Stoppers concept and effort must be made to present a factual, but also polished presentation of the unsolved crime to the public. However, apart from running reenactments, we also encourage the television outlet to produce public service announcements, a documentary on the local Crime Stoppers program, follow-up stories when cases are cleared, along with updates or progress reports on the successes, public relations efforts and fundraising projects.

PAYMENT OF REWARDS
The offer to pay rewards for crime-solving information is an essential element of Crime Stoppers. A caller can earn a reward of up to $1,000 if their information helps clear a major crime. That reward can be doubled if the caller testifies.

CALLERS CAN REMAIN ANONYMOUS
A critical element of the Crime Stoppers program is the offer of anonymity for callers. To achieve anonymity, callers are given confidential numbers. Since most callers' identities aren't known they contact Crime Stoppers to provide additional information and to learn if a reward has been earned.

INVOLVEMENT PAYS OFF Boise Area Crime Stoppers' success continues to grow. Your support and participation does help solve crime. Fight back! Be a Crime Stopper!