How it Works

Put simply it is a three part approach to solving the crime problem. Midlands Crimestoppers relies on cooperation between the COMMUNITY, the MEDIA, and LAW ENFORCEMENT to provide a flow of information about crimes, fugitives, suspicious activity, and missing persons.

CRIMESTOPPERS is NOT a substitute for calling 911. The Crimestoppers system is NOT constantly monitored and is NOT intended for real-time dispatching of law enforcement personnel. In the event of an EMERGENCY, CALL 911.

Those who submit tips are called "tipsters" and remain ANONYMOUS. We do NOT have caller ID. We do NOT record phone calls. We do NOT ask for your name. Computer IPs are NOT saved. Locations are NOT tracked. A unique computer generated tip ID and password are provided to each tipster. DO NOT lose your tip ID and/or password for the tips you submit. These numbers are the ONLY WAY for us to CONFIRM you submitted the tip and GET YOU PAID!

Submit Tips in 1 of 3 Ways:

1 - Mobile Tip

The P3 Tips app is available for Android and iOS platforms and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Download the P3 Tips app by clicking on the orange Mobile App button. You can attach videos and images to the tip. Be as detailed as possible. Save your Tip ID & password that is provided once your tip is submitted.

2 - Web Tip

Web tips can be submitted by clicking on the orange Submit a Tip button. Provide all pertinent information in the web tip form. Be as detailed as possible. You can attach videos, images, documents, and audio files. Save your Tip ID & password that is provided once your tip is submitted.

3 - Phone Tip

Tipsters still have the option to call the tip line by dialing 888-CRIME-SC (274-6372). Save your Tip ID & password that is provided once your tip is submitted.

Structure and Funding of Crime Stoppers

Midlands Crimestoppers is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization (charity). A volunteer Board of Directors provides direction as to the financial and promotional activities of the program. The Board of Directors enhances the community involvement aspect, and its function is vital to the program's success.

Midlands Crimestoppers is funded by private donations and fundraising. NO TAX DOLLARS are involved. The reward money paid out by the program is from the fundraising and donations from concerned citizens and businesses. Please make a tax deductible donation by going to Support Us.

A community Board of Directors, made up of persons from throughout the Midlands area, meet on a monthly basis to evaluate arrests and to decide on reward amounts to be paid. Rewards are then distributed in a private manner to the tipsters using the unique Tip ID & password provided. Tipsters are eligible for rewards up to $5,000 when their tip leads to an arrest. However, many callers choose not to collect their rewards.

Does Crime Stoppers Work?

The answer is quite simply YES. Since the start of Crime Stoppers, many calls have been received resulting in thousands of arrests and recovery of substantial amounts of property. Calls have included information about murder, robbery, rape, assaults, drug and firearm offenses.

The success of a Crime Stoppers program cannot be purely judged on statistics; however, other benefits have come to notice:

A greater awareness in the community that there is a crime problem
A willingness by the community to fight back against crime if it is given the opportunity and motivation
Improved relationships between police, media, and the community

Crime Stoppers is definitely here to stay. It has been accepted by police as a valid and effective investigative tool and the public, through its overwhelming response, appears to have accepted it as a more palatable alternative to traditional methods of giving information.