What is Crime Stoppers

Crime Stoppers of Reno County is a non-profit organization of citizens against crime. The Board of Directors is comprised of 21 civilians from around the county. The Board is responsible for the operations, publicity, fundraising and determining the reward amount. The Board meets once a month to conduct business and vote on the reward amount. Crime Stoppers of Reno County was established in 1985. Crime Stoppers is an international program that was formed in 1976. There are more that 950 program established in over 18 countries and U.S. territories. Internationally, this program has solved more than 425.000 major crimes, put over 75,000 criminals behind bars, formed two major television network shows, and helped in recovering 2.9 billion dollars worth of stolen property and narcotics.

  How Crime Stoppers Works

If you have information about any felony crime or fugitive in Hutchinson or Reno County, call Crime Stoppers at 694-2666 or toll free 1-800-222-TIPS(8477) and you could be eligible for a cash reward. No one will ask your name and we don't take your phone number nor have caller ID or call return. You will be given a code number for identification. If your information leads to an arrest, you will not be able to collect your reward without the code number. Important: When calling Crime Stoppers, do not use a cordless phone or cell phone. These are not secure lines and people with scanners could hear your call. If your information leads to an arrest, the Coordinator will advise the Board of Directors, who will vote on the amount of the reward. When you call back, you will be notified of a location to pick up your cash without anybody knowing whom you are.

  Featured Crime

The "Featured Crime" is a specific crime that has been selected to be highlighted. If you have information that leads to the arrest of the person(s) responsible, you are eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000.

  Featured Fugitive

Periodically, in addition to the "25 Most Wanted", a fugitive is selected to be profiled that has an outstanding warrant for their arrest. The warrant may be a felony or a misdemeanor. If you know the whereabouts of the fugitive and your tip leads to their arrest, you could be eligible for a minimum cash reward of $100 and a maximum of up to $1,000.

  Twenty-five Most Wanted

The Reno County Sheriff's Department releases the Twenty-five most wanted fugitives' list. If you have information about the location of a featured felon and your tip results in his or her arrest, you are eligible for a minimum cash reward of $100 and a maximum of up to $1,000. The "Twenty-five Most Wanted" list is updated by the Sheriff's Department.

  Crime Stoppers in Schools

There are seven high schools in Hutchinson and Reno County that have a Crime Stoppers program. The school programs operate independently of the Crime Stoppers of Reno County program, each setting up it's own board of directors, which decides the rewards for it's program. If any of them receive information about a felony crime, it is referred to the Crime Stoppers of Reno County program for investigation.

  Why People Call

Research results for a local Crime Stoppers program in our area reflected that over 54% of the respondents reported crime to Crime Stoppers "because it was the right thing to do." Only 39% reported crime solely for the reward money. Over 92% of the respondents said that it was very easy to get the reward money. Persons who have provided tips to Crime Stoppers said, "I never thought a reward would come out of this, but it did" and "Now that I know how easy it is, if I become aware of someone who is wanted, I'll call Crime Stoppers."

  Reward Money

Crime Stoppers of Reno County is funded by private donations. These donations include individuals, businesses and other organizations. All contributions are tax-deductible. Your contributions can be mailed to Crime Stoppers of Reno County, Inc., P.O. Box 1447, Hutchinson, KS 67504.