Wood County 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 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 all local programs organized as 501c(3) non-profit organizations are tax deductible.

If information I provide leads to solving a crime, what is the amount of a reward I will receive?

The amount in each case is determined by the local Board of Directors and is based on the nature of the crime and the importance of the information. Crime Stoppers pays rewards up to $1,000 in cash but there is no minimum amount.