About us
CrimeStoppers is a community-based program already proven to be highly effective in otherparts of the country. Here in Hunterdon County, NJ, we’re lucky to have a low amount of
crime, but we are not, unfortunately, crime-free. Our goal is to engage our entire
community – citizens, media and law enforcement – to work towards
making our communities safer by identifying the people committing
crimes and getting them off the streets. Safer towns means more visitors,
more residents and more business, resulting in more jobs and increased
revenues.
At the core of creating a safer community is preventing crime. While increased police visibility
has an impactful effect in deterring criminal activity, the foundation of real prevention and
reduction is in taking criminals off the streets.
CrimeStoppers strength is in its ability to protect the identity of
informants. No person’s identity will ever be compromised, not even when HCCS has been
subpoenaed by the courts.
See something, say something, get cash--all anonymously.
The information provided through Hunterdon County Crime Stoppers helps our local law
enforcement agencies in their investigations and can play a major role in the apprehension of
criminals and in securing convictions.
LAUNCH:
In March 2013, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office, in partnership with the Hunterdon
County Police Department and a group of concerned citizens, launched Hunterdon County
Crime Stoppers – the first program in Hunterdon County that directly engages the community
to impact crime reduction and public safety. Hunterdon County Crime Stoppers rallies citizens,
provides an avenue for them to safely and anonymously report information about criminal
activity and incentivizes them with monetary rewards if the information leads to an arrest and
indictment.
BENEFITS:
What’s the benefit to you the taxpayer? CrimeStoppers lessens the financial burden
on our local law enforcement agencies, allowing our tax dollars to stretch further. Safer
towns means more visitors, more residents and more business, resulting in
more jobs and increased revenues, increased property values and an even
more desirable Hunterdon County.
Crime Stoppers first began in Albuquerque, New Mexico. During July 1975, Michael Carmen,
working one night at a local filling station, was the victim of a fatal shooting. After two weeks
the police still had no information. Out of desperation, Detective Greg MacAleese approached
the local television station requesting a reconstruction of the crime. The re-enactment offered
$1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the killers.
Within 72 hours, a person called in identifying a car leaving the scene at high speed and he had
noted its registration. The tipster, not wanting to get involved, did not report the crime until they
were offered a cash incentive. Detective MacAleese then realized that fear and apathy were
the primary reasons the public had a tendency to not report crimes. He helped design a system
though which the public could anonymously provide details of the events. This system focused
on stimulating community involvement and participation, taking advantage of every possible
media opportunity, especially electronic media, to publicize unsolved crimes; and offering cash
rewards for information leading to an arrest and/or conviction.
Since its first chapter was officially formed in Albuquerque in 1976, Crime Stoppers in the United
States has been responsible for more than half a million arrests and more than $4 billion in
recovered property.
What’s the benefit to you the taxpayer? CrimeStoppers lessens the financial burden
on our local law enforcement agencies, allowing our tax dollars to stretch further. Safer
towns means more visitors, more residents and more business, resulting in
more jobs and increased revenues, increased property values and an even
more desirable Hunterdon County.
Crime Stoppers first began in Albuquerque, New Mexico. During July 1975, Michael Carmen,
working one night at a local filling station, was the victim of a fatal shooting. After two weeks
the police still had no information. Out of desperation, Detective Greg MacAleese approached
the local television station requesting a reconstruction of the crime. The re-enactment offered
$1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the killers.
Within 72 hours, a person called in identifying a car leaving the scene at high speed and he had
noted its registration. The tipster, not wanting to get involved, did not report the crime until they
were offered a cash incentive. Detective MacAleese then realized that fear and apathy were
the primary reasons the public had a tendency to not report crimes. He helped design a system
though which the public could anonymously provide details of the events. This system focused
on stimulating community involvement and participation, taking advantage of every possible
media opportunity, especially electronic media, to publicize unsolved crimes; and offering cash
rewards for information leading to an arrest and/or conviction.
Since its first chapter was officially formed in Albuquerque in 1976, Crime Stoppers in the United
States has been responsible for more than half a million arrests and more than $4 billion in
recovered property.
