How to provide a quality Tip
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Qualifications of a Successful Tip:
A tip must either:
- lead to a charge
- lead to an arrest
- lead to recovery of stolen property or illicit drugs
- lead to surrendering of animals
- warrant a denial of an insurance claim
- or successful conclusion of a case
Unlike other organizations, Crime Stoppers does not require a court conviction to pay an award.
The building blocks of a good crime tip:
There are no bad tips - but what makes a Good tip Great is in the details!
- When submitting a tip, please DO NOT give your name or any contact info as we want you to remain 100% anonymous.
- Also, please do not attempt to seek out additional information about a crime on your own. Leave this to the law enforcement investigators and trained professionals. Your safety is our utmost priority. Your tip will be forwarded to the proper investigative agencies.
- Depending on the tip that you have provided, it may take time to investigate. There are many reasons for this – it could be part of a larger investigation, or it could be put on file to be used at a later date. Every tip is useful, so don’t think that it didn’t help.
When submitting your tip, focus on these key questions:
- Who is involved?
- Do you know their names or nicknames?
- Can you provide a description? (age, race, height, weight, hair colour/style, eye colour & glasses if worn, clothing worn and any identifying features like tattoos or scars).
- Does the suspect(s) and/or victim(s) work or attend school? If yes, where?
- Where did the crime occur?
- Where does the suspect(s) live?
- Can you provide the city/town, nearest cross streets or specific address where the crime took place?
- Can you provide a description of the crime location? (building, school, park, neighbourhood, etc)
- When did the crime occur (date and time)?
- Have you noticed the crime happening more than once?
- What type of crime are you reporting? (vandalism, bullying, theft, drugs, assault, hit & run, etc.)
- What did you see or hear? (Remember, even the smallest detail could be important)
- Why did the crime happen? (Was there a reason for it to happen on a certain date and/or time?)
- How did the crime happen? (e.g. if it is a drug crime, how does the dealer sell drugs – from their house, car or street?).
- How are you aware of the crime? (Did you see it happen, overhear someone talking about it, etc.)
- How many people know about the crime?
Keep in Mind:
- As all your contact information is anonymous, please try to provide as many details as possible during your initial tip.
- Please do not withhold submitting a tip because you are unsure of all the details surrounding the "Who", "Where", "When", "What", “Why”, and “How” aspects of a suspected crime. Even the smallest detail you can provide, may end up being the key to solving a crime.
- Also - photos, videos and audio files can be uploaded online or via the P3 Tips Mobile App and can be extremely helpful in making an arrest.
- Any information you provide will be forwarded to the proper investigative agencies.
