January is International Crime Stoppers Month. The Crime Stoppers Program relies on cooperation among law enforcement, the media, and the community to provide information about crime and criminals. The Crime Stoppers Program works side by side with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to help solve serious crimes.
When a criminal case is not solved within a reasonable length of time, the investigative leads diminish, the trail becomes cold, evidence becomes unobtainable, and the crime becomes more difficult to solve. Quite often, citizens witness all or part of a crime without being aware of what they have seen. Consequently, they unknowingly possess key information that could aid police in solving the crime. In order for the police to receive this vital information, citizens must be made aware of the importance of the information they possess
All tips are handled by a third party service provider; no personal information is ever requested. Communication is an encrypted chat using a unique tip id and password. By offering cash awards for information leading to arrests the program encourages otherwise reluctant callers to provide information.
There are three ways to submit a tip: By phone (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or text “BUSTED”, plus your message to CRIMES (274637), or Click on Submit a Tip Online at WWW.VenturaCountyCrimeStoppers.org
If your information leads to an arrest, your tip could earn you up to $1,000. The tip line operator will explain how you can use your unique tip id to give any additional information and how to collect your reward.
Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization (charity) financed by private donations and fund raising. The reward money paid out by the program is donations from concerned citizens and businesses.
For additional information on the Ventura County Crime Stoppers Program or to receive information on other crime prevention topics, contact Simi Valley Police Department Crime Prevention Coordinator, Jean-Marie Maroshek at (805) 583-6276 or at [email protected]
