How it Works

Put simply it is a three part approach to solving the crime problem. Crime Stoppers relies on cooperation between the police, the media, and the general community to provide a flow of information about crime and criminals. Calls are received at Crime Stoppers tips line phone. This phone is a stand alone instrument which does not provide caller ID, and conversations are not recorded. The Crime Stoppers call center based in Canada receives the information, completes the tips information form, makes initial inquiries and then passes the information to the tips coordinator in Jacksonville. Calls are accepted regarding any publicized request for information, such as “Crime of the Week” or such other crime(s) the caller has knowledge of. By guaranteeing a caller’s anonymity Crime Stoppers allows the caller to give information in a positive atmosphere without the prospect of retribution. By offering cash rewards for information leading to indictment or arrests, the program encourages otherwise reluctant callers to provide information.

Here are some frequently asked questions

When you call the toll-free tips hotline, you will not be asked for your name, where you live, or how you got the tip. The call center does not have call display or electronic recording devices. You will be given a “tip number” that corresponds to the crime being reported.

When you submit a tip through our website, your form is sent using state of the art software through a Secure Socket Connection (SSL). Tips submitted through this website are encrypted, entirely confidential, completely anonymous and are immediately and securely transferred directly to our Crime Stoppers offices. After submitting your tip, you will be provided with your own unique ID number that you will use when checking on the status of your tip or picking up your reward.

Quite simply, the answer is NO. E-mail transmissions are not secure and will not protect your anonymity. Although E-mail transmissions are an effective method of communication, they pass through several servers prior to arriving at their final destination and are subject to possible hijacking, hacking or other forms of malicous attack. To submit a tip online, be sure to use our submit a tip page

If you have information that will help solve a crime and you want to be eligible for a reward, you must call the Crime Stoppers toll-free tips hotline first.

The Crime Stoppers Board of Directors, made up of volunteers from throughout the area, meets on a monthly basis to evaluate arrests and to decide on the size of rewards to be paid up to $1000.

The reward amounts are determined by the Crime Stoppers’ Board of Directors at their monthly meeting. The board reviews each reward recommendation based upon the severity of the crime and with input from the law enforcement agency that is investigating the case.

FCCS operates with funds obtained through a special Florida Crime Stoppers Trust Fund grant and through monies donated and collected at fundraising events.

The entire process, from the time of the arrest until the reward is ready to be picked up, can take up to 60 days.

The answer is quite simply yes. The program has enjoyed great success boasting an average conviction rate of 95% on cases solved by Crime Stoppers’ tips. The Crime Stoppers programs worldwide have solved over a half a million crimes and recovered over 3 billion dollars worth of stolen property and narcotics. Since the start of Crime Stoppers, many calls have been received resulting in thousands of arrests and recovery of substantial amounts of property. Calls have included information about murder, robbery, rape, assaults, drug and firearm offenses.

The success of a Crime Stoppers program cannot be purely judged on statistics, however, other benefits have come to notice:

  • A greater awareness in the community that there is a crime problem.
  • A willingness by the community to fight back against crime if it is given the opportunity and motivation.
  • Improved relationships between police, media, and the community.

Crime Stoppers is definitely here to stay. It has been accepted by police as a valid and effective investigative tool and the public, through its overwhelming response, appears to have accepted it as a more palatable alternative to traditional methods of giving information.

Request additional program information

If you would like additional information about the First Coast Crime Stoppers program, please e-mail us at rewards@fccrimestoppers.com.

Schedule a speaker

If your organization would like to have a FCCS Board Member speak at its next function, please send a request via e-mail to rewards@fccrimestoppers.com. Please include pertinent details about the organization and the function.

Request FCCS Materials

FCCS bumper stickers, tip cards and yard signs are available to community organizations. Please send your request via e-mail to rewards@fccrimestoppers.com. Please include pertinent details about the organization and the type and number of materials needed.