Crime Stoppers Fact Sheet
Who we are?
– Crime Stoppers is a program in which members of the community, the media, businesses and police work together to solve crimes. Citizens are encouraged, via cash rewards up to $2,500, to provide information leading to the arrest and indictment of criminals. When a person calls Crime Stoppers to report on a crime, you do not have to give your name and you do not have to appear in court. There are Crime Stoppers programs in over 25 countries around the world. In North Carolina, Crime Stoppers programs exist in over 65 cities and towns.
What is 226-CRIM(E)? A city's borders do not restrict crime to a given city. This program provides the opportunity to regionalize Crime Stoppers by promoting a single telephone number. 226-CRIM(E) is a free call for all persons in the greater Triangle area. One telephone number will make it easier for everyone including police departments, citizens, civic groups, businesses and the media to use Crime Stoppers.
How does it work? When a person calls 226-CRIM(E), the recorded prompts (press 1 for Raleigh Crime Stoppers, 2 for Durham, 3 for Cary, 4 for Chapel Hill, Carrboro and UNC-Chapel Hill, 5 for Apex, 6 for Morrisville and 7 for Garner) will automatically direct the caller to the correct Crime Stoppers program. This technology permits each program to remain an autonomous unit with its own Board members and treasury funds.
Is Crime Stoppers successful? In 1999, tips to Cary Crime Stoppers resulted in 44 cases being solved. These crimes included a bank robbery, two robberies at convenience stores, numerous residential burglaries that led to the recovery of over $105,000 in property, $13,000 worth of crack taken off of the streets and a serious assault was closed.
Does 226-CRIM(E) use caller ID or any other method of tracing telephone calls? - No, we do not use caller ID nor trace phone calls.
Can cell phones call 226-CRIM(E)? – Yes, however, a cell phone can only dial a 7 digit number. Thus, the caller must dial 226-CRIM (226-2746). This is why we put the "E" in parenthesis. Alltel has created #CRIME for their cellular users which automatically connects the caller to 226-CRIM(E).
How can I help? - Crime Stoppers relies on donations from business and community groups as well as individual citizens to pay cash rewards. To help support Crime Stoppers, please mail your tax-deductible donation (payable to Cary Crime Stoppers) to P.O. Box 1922, Cary, NC 27512.
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