Delaware Crime Stoppers

Delaware Crime Stoppers program is a non-profit organization led by dedicated citizens against crime. Delaware Crime Stoppers is part of the global network of Crime Stoppers USA and Crime Stoppers International. Delaware Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards of up to $1000 to persons providing anonymous information that leads to the arrest of criminals and fugitives. Delaware Crime Stoppers receives information through anonymous and secure tip lines or through a secure web connection. Our 1-800-TIP-3333 is supported by our call center at Crime Scene Information, Inc., Each call is answered by a trained professional and is assigned a code number for the purpose of follow up while insuring anonymity.

Why Do We Need Crime Stoppers?

Crime Stoppers is based on the principal that someone other than the criminal has information that can solve a crime and was created to combat the three major problems faced by law enforcement in generating that information:

Fear of REPRISAL
An attitude of APATHY
Reluctance to get INVOLVED

History

When a young college student, Michael Carmen, was shot to death during a robbery at an Albuquerque, New Mexico gas station in July 1976, Detective Greg MacAleese had no idea who was responsible for the killing.

No witnesses came forward and it appeared the senseless and brutal shotgun slaying would remain a mystery.

MacAleese, who worked for a newspaper before joining the Albuquerque Police Department, knew something innovative would be necessary to encourage the public to get involved and help solve the murder.

He conceived the idea of producing a video re-enactment of the homicide, guaranteed anonymity for anyone who was willing to call him with information and put up a reward from his own pocket to encourage someone to provide a lead that would help identify those responsible for the murder of Carmen.

It seemed almost unnecessary to take such extraordinary steps to solve the killing of Carmen. It was a case that should have outraged the community and brought forth many witnesses.

Carmen was only two weeks away from getting married and had taken an extra shift at the gas station to give a co-worker the night off. When police responded to an emergency call they found Carmen gravely wounded. He's been shot in the abdomen at point blank range with a 12-gauge shotgun.

The medical staff kept him alive for four hours and during that time he tried to tell detectives who was responsible, but he just didn't have the strength to form the words.

At that time Albuquerque had one of the highest per capita crime rates in the country and people were afraid to help the police.

MacAleese's plan to identify those responsible for killing Carmen worked. Within a few hours after the recreation of the murder was broadcast on television station KOAT, he received a phone call. The video image had triggered the memory of a person who heard a loud bang in the vicinity of the gas station and then saw a car driving off. The caller told MacAleese the vehicle belonged to a resident in a nearby apartment complex.

Through investigation MacAleese and a team of detectives arrested two men within 72 hours and charged them with the murder of Carmen and a string of armed robberies.

MacAleese received other calls following the reenactment, including one that allowed police to solve the rape of a young woman. Realizing that this type of program might be useful in fighting crime, MacAleese convinced the Albuquerque Police Department to allow a group of citizens to establish the first Crime Stoppers program.

For his efforts Detective MacAleese was named one of the people in the 1970's who changed the face of the United States and was also named the country's Police officer of the Year. It's also interesting to note that since adopting Crime Stoppers Albuquerque's crime rate has dropped significantly and no longer is ranked in the list of 20 cities with the highest per capita crime rate.

Members of the local community, media and law enforcement, came together in partnership to begin the effort to provide crime-solving assistance to law enforcement, and the first Crime Stoppers program was born on September 8, 1976.

A cash reward was offered to individuals that provided anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers with information which would lead to the arrest of the person(s) responsible for the crime. The local media publicized the first “Crime of the Week” and the phone number to call with the information. A call received by the program resulted in the arrest of three men, within 72 hours, who had been involved in the homicide of the young college student that had occurred 4 months earlier.

Today, Delaware Crime Stoppers programs are a part of the global reach around the world and are represented by the Nation/Regions of the United States, Canada, Caribbean and Latin America, Europe, Australia, and the South/Western Pacific.

The Delaware Crime Stoppers programs have enjoyed great success with the information received which has led to the arrest and indictment of those responsible for committing felony offenses, boasting an average conviction rate of approximately 95% on cases solved by a tip to the program.

Three Essential Elements Make Up our Crime Stoppers Program

Crime Stoppers is a partnership between the Community, the Media and Law Enforcement.

Delaware citizens were responsible for forming a Crime Stoppers non-profit corporation whose directors establish policy, determined amount and method of reward payments, work closely with law enforcement and the media and generally oversee the program. Our directors are also responsible for fund raising, and all volunteer services. Delaware Crime Stoppers programs are supported by the public through tax deductible donations from businesses, corporations, individuals, service organizations along with various grants.

Crime Stoppers is publicized on a regular basis by all media outlets including print, broadcast and web-based partners. Special attention is given to unsolved crimes, cold cases, narcotics activity, wanted fugitives, and suspected terrorist and gang activity.

Local law enforcement agencies receive and process the anonymous tips received through Crime Stoppers. If the information leads to an arrest, the caller will be paid up to $1,000.00 for their information.

Delaware Crime Stoppers, established in 1983, is dedicated to serving our community and all of Delaware Law Enforcement.

About our Program

What is Crime Stoppers?

Why Do We Need Crime Stoppers?

History

Three Essential Elements Make Up our Crime Stoppers Program

Mission Statement

DE Board of Directors