Metro Crime Stoppers Reward Program
Metro Crime Stoppers offers rewards for tips that lead to an arrest and charges filed. These rewards are paid directly from Metro Crime Stoppers funds. In order for a tip to be considered for a reward it must have been received through one of four methods:
- A call to the Hot Tip Line using the 1-866-7LOCKUP (1-866-756-2587) phone line
- A tip using the Metro Crime Stoppers Website (metrocrimestoppers.org)
- A tip using the P3 Tips Mobile Application
- A tip using the Crime Stoppers USA phone tip line **TIPS (Dial “**TIPS” ) This method interfaces with the Hot Tip Line and the P3 Application mentioned in items 1 and 3 above.
All of the above methods provide a mechanism for entering information into the P3 Global Intel Tip Management Software. This software manages tips for over 350 crime stopper organizations across the country. Information on a crime that has not been provided through one of these methods will not be considered for a reward.
In order for a tip to be considered for a reward, it must be one that provides the information that leads the police jurisdiction to solve the crime. There are often multiple tips on high-profile crimes. These tips may have related information even though they are provided by separate tipsters. The first tip received that provides police with the information used to solve the crime is the tip that will be considered for a reward. The determination of whether or not a tip provided a lead that resulted in an arrest and charges filed is made by the police jurisdiction making the arrest.
Reward values are determined by a set of points awarded for the tip based on several factors that are pertinent to the crime. These include the type of crime, the number of arrests, the number of cases solved, felony history of the suspect, property confiscated, and others. The point value is calculated by the P3 software based on police input of the data and a recommended reward value is assigned. Rewards offered by Metro Crime Stoppers have a maximum possible value of $2000 based on this system. Rewards for information on outstanding warrants that help police locate a wanted person receive a standard $150.00 in most cases.
Tipsters can remain anonymous. The P3 software does not require personal information from the person making the tip. Each tip is assigned a unique ID number that only the person making the tip will know. That number is to be used by the tipster to check on the status of the tip. The P3 system allows the investigating officers to communicate with the tipster if they check back into the P3 Tips system. If they do not, there is no mechanism for the police to contact the tipster. The police can leave messages asking for amplifying information or provide updates on the status of the tip. Supplementary information supplied by tipsters can increase reward values calculated by the software.
When a tip leads to the solving of a felony case the police jurisdiction presents the details of the tip, the arrest and the reward calculation to the Metro Crime Stoppers Board. The Board reviews the tip for compliance with program requirements. A reward is then authorized. Reward authorizations are valid for one year from the date the Board voted to approve. The tipster is notified through the P3 software of the reward authorized. There is no other means to communicate with the tipster. It is the tipster’s responsibility to check the P3 system to determine if a tip resulted in an arrest and was authorized a reward. Once a tipster has been notified that a reward is authorized they are given a person to contact regarding collecting the reward. Rewards are paid in cash. The only information the tipster needs to collect the reward is the unique ID number assigned to the tip at the time the tip was made. Rewards are paid to tipsters in a location mutually agreed upon by the Metro Crime Stoppers representative and the tipster.
There can be supplemental rewards offered above those offered by Metro Crime Stoppers. Metro Crime Stoppers provides a mechanism for private individuals, corporations or interested community groups to offer additional money for tips leading to solving the crime. These private or government rewards may have different conditions for reward authorization than Metro Crime Stoppers standard requirement of “arrest and charges filed”. For instance, a private reward may require that the money only be paid on an “arrest and indictment” or an “arrest and conviction”. These additional requirements may require that the separate reward be paid at a later date than a Metro Crime Stoppers reward, since the reward requirement may depend on a trial, conviction appeal, or other condition specified by the individuals or agency posting the reward.
Additional rewards posted by private individuals, corporations or community groups are held in escrow by Metro Crime Stoppers. Metro Crime Stoppers will not advertise a private reward that has not been received and placed in escrow. Escrow agreements specify the terms of the escrowed funds. Metro Crime Stoppers is not responsible for the conditions of the reward. It is simply an agent for the private party to post the reward. Rewards posted by private organizations that do not go through the Metro Crime Stoppers escrow program will not be advertised by Metro Crime Stoppers and Metro Crime Stoppers has no responsibility for determining the validity of the reward or in assisting in issuing these rewards.
Government agencies may contract Metro Crime Stoppers to manage an additional reward program. In these situations, Metro Crime Stoppers is the agent responsible for advertising and paying the reward in accordance with the contracted terms. The government agency provides the funds that Metro Crime Stoppers uses to pay the additional rewards.
The size of private rewards are determined by the group escrowing the funds for the reward. If a private reward is large enough that the total reward provided by Metro Crime Stoppers and the private reward combined exceeds $9,999.99, then specific reporting requirements specified in the federal USA Patriot Act are necessary. This may require identification of the person receiving the rewards and also require tax reporting requirements. In all cases when Metro Crime Stoppers is handling the payment of the funds the $10,000.00 conditions apply. Amounts less than $10,000.00 do not require this additional identification.
There are government agency rewards that are not managed by Metro Crime Stoppers. In these cases Metro Crime Stoppers will advertise the rewards that are posted by governmental agencies. Metro Crime Stoppers works with these agencies to advertise the rewards and to evaluate and make recommendations for authorization. These government rewards are not Metro Crime Stoppers’ responsibility. The government agency posting the reward is responsible for paying the reward. When a government agency is posting an additional reward the pertinent agencies information is specified in the reward advertisements. Additional rewards posted by governmental agencies are not subject to the $10,000 government reporting requirement.
Social Media and open forum communications systems are not part of the P3 Tips system. Rewards authorized by agencies other than what is specifically listed on Metro Crime Stoppers website or Metro Crime Stoppers Social Media pages are not recognized by Metro Crime Stoppers and will not be considered. Tips sent to social media channels will not be considered for a reward. These systems are not anonymous and Metro Crime Stoppers does not use them for tip gathering. All tips must be entered in the P3 Tips System to be considered. This if for the protection of the tipster as well as Metro Crime Stoppers.
There are some special conditions that will prohibit a tipster from being eligible for a reward.
- Parties to a crime for which a tip is made are not eligible for a reward for solving that crime.
- A qualifying tip has to provide specific information that leads to an arrest.
- Tips that do not specify a crime committed do not qualify for consideration.
- Information of an emergency nature or crime in progress should not go to P3. Call 911.