York County Crime Stoppers- Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How do Tips Work?

Tips are generally made anonymously to our call center at 755-TIPS(8477), submitted via web, or through our Text (SMS) tips submission. Callers are given a unique caller ID number to identify their tip. Next, tips are transmitted electronically to the coordinator. The coordinator then sends the tip info to the investigator responsible for that area and/or crime. When the caller calls back to follow-up with the coordinator, the coordinator contacts the investigator to see if the case was closed. If the tip leads to solving a crime or an arrest of a suspect, the coordinator will submit it to the Crime Stoppers Board of Directors for reward consideration. All reward amounts are determined by the civilian Board of Directors.

How Much Will My Reward Be?

Reward amounts are determined by the board of directors. The volunteer civilian board votes on each reward amount based on factors such as: seriousness of the crime, number of persons arrested, value of property recovered, and several other factors. The only exception to this rule is that the board authorized automatic $50 reward for all wanted persons with a criminal warrant of a misdemeanor or higher degree.

What Can Police Do with An Anonymous Tip?

By law, a tip from an anonymous source does not in itself establish probable cause for a search warrant or arrest. So, for example, if a crime stoppers tipster provides information on drug activity at a residence. Police cannot take that tip and get a search warrant for that residence. That tip would only be a piece of the puzzle. Police must then develop their own evidence, (through interviews, surveillance, and other investigative techniques) to establish probable cause. Then they can get a search warrant or make an arrest. The crime stoppers tip is the key to providing police with information that they otherwise would not have. Then, police can develop their own evidence and witnesses to solve the case. None of this happens without the information provided by the tipster. Call now!