Nonprofit offers cash rewards for reporting crime

KENANSVILLE – The words of Helen Keller “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much” resonate with a concept the private, non-profit, charitable organization Crime Stoppers promotes involving citizens helping solve crimes, all while remaining completely anonymous. The program offers cash rewards if the information leads to an arrest or the recovery of stolen property. 

After about a year in the making, Duplin County Crime Stoppers is now official. The program works hand in hand with the Sheriff’s Office but it’s managed by people in the community, and it is meant to assist solving crimes anywhere in Duplin County.

“It’s a way we can work with the community to try to solve some of these crimes,” said Sheriff Stratton Stokes. 

Through the Crime Stoppers program, people who have knowledge of a crime are encouraged to come forward with information. The calls are all routed through a call center in Houston, and it’s all done in real time. Calls are entered into a system and the caller is given a login username and password so they can follow up later at any time. The reward process is completely anonymous. Using a computerized system people are given a code number, and if the information they provide leads to an arrest, that code number gets them the reward. 

“They do not have to give their name or any (of their personal) information. They will be given a number, that is how they are identified,” said Lt. Shane Miller. He explained that after the caller gives the information to the call center, the operator contacts the law enforcement agency associated with investigating the crime. “Once the investigator gets that information, they run with it.” 

If the information leads to an arrest, after the investigator confirms it, the board decides the amount of the reward based on the type and severity of the crime. “There’s different monetary amounts for different crimes,” said Miller.  

The person who provided the anonymous tip can call the Crime Stoppers tip line and using their code number they can check if an arrest has been made. They will also use this code to get their cash reward at a banking institution without ever having to provide a name. 

“Big kudos to the board members to take the time out of their day to come here,” said Chief Deputy Phil Humphrey, to the group who gathered for their second official meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 11, in Kenansville. “I applaud them because they all could be home cooking dinner, going to ball games or Christmas shopping, or whatever the case may be, but they’re here trying to make this thing work and ain’t getting a dime to do it.”

To report crime anonymously, call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 910-372-9202. You may also submit information on Duplin County Citizens Connect at cc.southernsoftware.com/tipsubmission/ 

Crime Stoppers relies solely on donations and the kindness of Duplin County citizens and businesses.