Ques: What is Crime Stoppers?

Ans:     Crime Stoppers is non-profit, charitable organization that provides a mechanism for the public to give information that they have on a crime that was committed or one which is being planned, in a confidential and anonymous manner.

            Crime Stoppers is an international organization that is operational in 30 countries around the world.

Ques:  Who runs Crime Stoppers Barbados?

Ans:     Crime Stoppers is run by a civilian volunteer Board of Directors which is comprised of business persons, members of the clergy and academia, representatives from the tourism sector and other non-governmental organizations.

            The day-to-day functions of the organization are managed by a Programme Administrator.

Ques:  How is Crime Stoppers funded and what are the funds used for?

Ans:     As a non-profit, charitable organization, Crime Stoppers relies on contributions from the business community and the public for funding.  

            Like any other organization, Crime Stoppers requires funding for its operational, administrative and marketing expenses, but moreso, funds are required to pay rewards to tipsters.

            Persons who provide information that leads to an arrest or a seizure (drugs, guns, stolen property) are paid up to BB$1,000.00 cash.

Ques:  How is Crime Stoppers confidential and anonymous?

Ans:     When you call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, the call is routed to our Call Centre which is located in Canada. This Call Centre is not equipped with Caller ID, Voice Mail or any other feature that can trace a call or identify a caller’s phone number.

After you have given your information, the tele-operator will give you a Confidential Control Number which you are to keep confidential. You will also be asked to call back Crime Stoppers in 30 days to find out if the information you provided was useful and whether you are eligible to collect a reward payment.

Ques:  What types of crimes should I report to Crime Stoppers?

Ans:     All types of crimes can be reported to Crime Stoppers. If you know of someone involved in sale and trafficking of illegal drugs, or someone in possession of an illegal firearm, or a perpetrator of domestic abuse or even fraud; this information can be reported.

You should NOT report crimes in progress to Crime Stoppers, as Crime Stoppers is NOT an emergency number. Crimes in progress should be reported to the Police.

Ques:  How effective can Crime Stoppers be, if the Call Centre is located in Canada and it is NOT an emergency number?

Ans:     An officer of the Royal Barbados Police Force has been appointed as the Police Co-ordinator for Crime Stoppers. As soon as a report is made to the Call Centre, he is immediately notified via an online system and acts on the information received.

It should be remembered, the Police require information in order to conduct surveillance and detect crimes and criminal activity. Hence, the information received is crucial not only to solve crimes that have already occurred, but to prevent future crimes that are being planned. Crime will be reduced as the criminals would be aware that the probability of being caught is increased.

Ques:  Wouldn’t my identity be known when I have to collect my reward payment?

Ans:     Once your information proves to be useful, Crime Stoppers will determine the value of the reward to be paid. When the tipster calls back the Crime Stoppers Call Centre (in 30 days), he/she will indicate which branch of Scotiabank in Barbados that they would prefer to collect the reward.

Crime Stoppers will provide Scotiabank with the tipster’s Confidential Control Number and the amount of the reward to be paid.

At the Scotiabank branch, the tipster will ask for the branch manager, provide his/her Confidential Number and receive the payment in CASH. No ID or signatures are required.

Ques:  How can I contact Crime Stoppers?

Ans:     If you have information on a crime, you can call The Crime Stoppers Call Centre - TOLL FREE at 1-800-8477 (TIPS) or you can log on to www.crimestoppersbardados.com and send your information anonymously using our secure WEBTIPS technology.