Crime Stoppers Seek Tips, Offer Rewards

CREST HAVEN — County Sheriff Gary Schaffer attended his first Crime Stoppers semiannual breakfast in his new capacity as sheriff at the Technical High School May 21.
Sheriff’s Department officers, FBI, department chiefs, investigators and donors gathered for a hot breakfast cooked and served by the school’s first-year culinary arts students.
Crime Stoppers, an international association, works as a liaison between the public and local law enforcement through an all-hours crime tip line.
Schaffer gave a brief speech concerning the state of the organization and it’s future.
He said interaction among all departments is needed to successfully operate and he hopes to invigorate the public’s willingness to offer information.
Anonymous callers report crimes to the tip line and receive a caller number. If the caller’s tip results in an arrest or indictment, they are entitled to a reward, which they receive through their caller number so they remain anonymous.
Reward amounts are determined by the importance of tips. If a tip leads to the arrest of a murderer, for example, a caller can receive up to $1,000, the most the organization can pay.
U.S. Marshal Jim Plousis, former county sheriff, said he has authority to match reward amounts in the case a tipline call is very crucial to an investigation.
Volunteer board meetings are held once a month to discuss tips received and potential fund raising. Rewards are mostly funded by donations from Sturdy Savings Bank, Cape Savings Bank, local business, individuals and participation in 4-H Fairs and Lower Cape May Regional High School’s Night Out Against Crime.
The organization receives an average of about 30 calls each year.
There are 12 other Crime Stopper Tiplines in the state.
First-year culinary arts students hustled preparing French toast and sausage while others served the public at the school’s American Bounty Café.
Instructor David Masterson said the semiannual breakfast is a great opportunity for students to gain experience.
Call the Crime Stoppers’ Tipline at (609) 465-2800 or toll-free at (877) 465-2801.
Contact Truluck at (609) 886-8600 ext. 24 or at: ltruluck@cmcherald.com.