Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is a non-profit, citizens' organization created to aid the law enforcement community in reducing the crime rate. It was, and still is, a priority project of the Palm Beach County Crime Prevention Officers Association.

The Board of Directors is made up of concerned citizens, who actively help to guide the program. They are directly responsible for all fund raising and the administration of the reward monies. The Board of Directors meets monthly to coordinate projects and review progress.

Day to day administration of Crime Stoppers is the responsibility of the Police Coordinator, a sworn investigator who is appointed to that position by the Sheriff of Palm Beach County.

The Crime Stoppers concept originated in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1976. Its success exceeded all expectations. By the end of 1986 over 600 organizations were formed throughout the United States and internationally. Although each operates independently, all rely on the original formula for success, that is the commitment and cooperation of law enforcement, the media, and the public.

South Florida's first crime reenactment was aired by Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County on September 9, 1981, on WPEC, TV-12.

Don't give your name, remain anonymous.

Each week, an unsolved felony, committed here in Palm Beach County, is reconstructed and brought to the attention of the public on WPTV Channel 5 and local cable stations. Also radio and newspapers are used to inform the public with many other crime stoppers programs (Palm Beach County's Wanted Fugitives) to reach those people who may have information about a crime.

Each crime dramatization reinforces the message, "If you know something about this, or any serious crime, that information could be valuable. Call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS (8477). If your information leads to an arrest, indictment, recovery of stolen property, or seizure of narcotics, you can be eligible for up to $1000 reward."

The validity of information received on the TIPS line is checked by the Police Coordinator, then dispatched to the appropriate law enforcement agency. There are thirty-four such agencies in Palm Beach County. The caller is assigned a special "code number" and advised to call back at a specified interval of time, to check on the progress of the case. In all future contacts, the caller is identified only by code number, thus maintaining the anonymity.

When the information leads to arrest, indictment, property recovery or narcotics seizure, the agency involved immediately notifies the Police Coordinator. This is included in the monthly report brought before the Board of Directors, and the amount of reward is then determined. The caller is advised how and when to collect and the anonymity is still maintained.

You do! Every citizen reaps the benefits:

• Criminals are apprehended, prosecuted and convicted
• Stolen property is recovered
• Vast amounts of narcotics are taken off our streets
• Hundreds of investigative hours are saved.

CRIME STOPPERS of Palm Beach County receives NO City, County, State, or Federal funding. It is a community project supported only by voluntary contributions of money, goods, or services. Donations are sought from private sources, corporations, clubs civic or social groups, professional organizations, retailers, and the individual citizen. This concerted effort keeps the CRIME STOPPERS program functional, providing reward monies and basic operating materials.

Crime Stoppers works. But it needs your support if it is to continue to be successful. Contributions to the reward fund are needed on a continuous basis-the more successful the program, the greater the funds necessary. Donations of video equipment for reenactments, printing and graphics services for brochures, fliers, posters, etc., production of promotional items such as T-shirts, caps, mugs, bumper stickers, matchbooks, etc., and billboard space, are also needed. Volunteers can also help with publicity, mailings, and fund-raising events.

The responsibility of fighting crime belongs to all of us, not just law enforcement alone. Citizen involvement is our greatest asset in assisting law enforcement.