Locals working to establish Crime Stoppers program

Jasper County law enforcement and community leaders came together to discuss the formation of a Crime Stoppers program on Tuesday at the Jasper County Armory Building.

Newton Police Chief Rob Burdess along with NPD Lt. Wes Breckenridge led the conversation about the program they hope will help bring more information to law enforcement agencies about crime in the county.

“Crime Stoppers is an opportunity for us to partner with other organizations in the city and other law enforcement, public safety, fire and rescue, chambers, all kinds of organization to make safer communities that will enhance the quality of life for everyone within our county,” Breckenridge said.

The premise behind Crime Stoppers is providing an anonymous way for citizens to inform officers about crime, or give tips on crimes that officers are investigating. Information is received on an anonymous and secure tip line or through a secure web connection controlled by a professional program coordinator.

Law enforcement has found there are three major problems they must combat when getting information to solve a crime — the fear of reprisal, an attitude of apathy or a reluctance to get involved.

Crime Stoppers tries to resolve those issues by offering anonymity. Using software designed specifically for anonymity, anyone who offers information cannot be tracked and is only identified by a number.

“How can we make this truly anonymous? Through Tipsoft software. It will funnel it through Canada and back to us, so we will truly not know who that person is,” Breckenridge said. “By having anonymity moving forward, people are going to be more likely to come forward with the information if they know their personal information isn’t given out.”

Tipsoft software is available for an annual fee of $1,200. Burdess said funds could be available through a police organizations, grants or through fundraising efforts.

The second incentive for tipsters is a reward payout. If information is supplied that leads to an arrest, the person who submitted that tip will be paid a reward.

“What they have found in other locations is those people that are involved in criminal activity, if they know they can get $500 for ratting out a friend anonymously they’re going to do it,” Breckenridge said. “That’s OK because we want to catch them and get them off of the street.”

To implement the program, a citizen board will be formed to establish policies, determine the amount and method of reward payments, work with law enforcement and the media and oversee the program. The board is also responsible for all fundraising through selling memberships or sponsorships to local businesses, organizations or individuals.

“It is truly the citizen led board that makes all of the decisions,” Breckenridge said.

The next step in making the program a reality is finding individuals from each community in the county to help form a working group to develop the Crime Stoppers board.

“What we are asking is if you are interested, email us and let us know. In two to three weeks we’ll shoot an email out, have our first working group meeting to begin the development of the volunteer board,” Breckenridge said.

For more information about the Crime Stoppers program or to participate, contact Breckenridge at wesb@newtongov.org or Burdess at robb@newtongov.org.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com