How it Works

Crime Stoppers relies on cooperation between the police, the media, and the general community to provide a flow of information about crime and criminals.

There are three ways to submit a tip - by Phone, Internet or the P3Tips Mobile App.

1. The Phone Call

Dial 1 800 253 7867. Calls are received at the Crime Stoppers tips line call center. This phone is does not display caller ID, and conversations are not recorded. 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. The Crime Stoppers call center receiving the information completes the tips information form and notifies the Crime Stoppers Coordinator. Tip information is passed to the appropriate investigating officer.

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.

2. The Online Web Tip

Simply click on Web Tips at the top of any page on this web site. A form will appear and you just fill in the blanks and follow the instructions. The process is completely secure and anonymous.

The integrated Two-Way Dialog capabilities allow the tipster to return and provide additional information to their tip at any time. It also provides a secure means for the coordinator to ask questions or provide reward information back to the tipster through the same secure and encrypted interface.

3. The P3Tips Mobile Application

First you have to download the free P3Tips app from the Apple Store or the Google Play Store. Once downloaded you select your location by state (Texas), county (Williamson) and then organization (Crime Stoppers). Next you will create a four-digit password that you will need to remember. You will need to enter your password in the P3Tips app any time you want to check the status of an existing tip or create a new tip.

To submit a tip with the mobile app P3Tips, simply select the Submit A Tip tab, choose an Offense Type of the crime you are giving information about. Then fill in the information such as who, what, when and where. Once you are done entering the tip you can add any attachments such as photos or video. You can upload your photos or video from your device’s library or right from the camera on your mobile device. When you submit the tip, you will receive an immediate response that will include your tip number. You will also receive instructions on how to update your tip from a desk top computer. You will be able to update your tip anytime by clicking on the Review/Update Existing Tip tab. You can add additional suspect information as well as photos or video to your existing tip at any time.

Structure and Funding of Crime Stoppers

Crime Stopper Programs are organized as a non-profit organization. A civilian community board of directors provides direction for the financial and promotional activities of the program. The board of directors encourages community involvement, and its function is vital to the program's success.

The Crime Stoppers program is funded by County Probation Fees (paid by convicted criminals), private donations, and fund raisers. NO TAX DOLLARS are involved.

A community board of directors, made up of persons from throughout the area, meets on a monthly basis to evaluate arrests and to decide on the size of the cash rewards to be paid. Rewards are then distributed in a private manner to the callers. Callers are eligible for cash rewards, but, despite this, many callers choose not to collect their rewards.

Does Crime Stoppers Work?

The answer is quite simply yes. 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 exist:

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.