How it Works

Simply put it is a three part approach to solving the crime problem. Delaware Crime Stoppers relies on the support and cooperation between the police, the media, and the general community to provide a flow of information about crime and criminals.

The 1-800-TIP-3333 Phone Call

Calls are received by our network answering service, Crime Scene Information  Call Center. No caller ID, or recorded conversations. Your tip information is then forwarded through Delaware Crime Stoppers to the proper law enforcement agency. By guaranteeing a caller’s anonymity Crime Stoppers allows the caller to give information in a safe and protected manner without the prospect of retribution. By offering cash rewards for information leading to arrests, the program encourages otherwise reluctant callers to provide information.

The Online WebTip

Tipsters now have the option of giving us tips online. The process is completely secure and anonymous and is a very effective and efficient means of safely communicating with us in today’s world. Our WebTip process is powered by the world’s leading online tip solution provider, Crime Reports/Anderson Software.  

The very unique integrated Two-Way Dialog capabilities allow the tipster to return at a later time to provide additional information while also providing a secure means for the coordinator to ask questions or forward reward information back to the tipster through the same secure and encrypted interface.  Throughout this process, the tipster’s identity remain completely anonymous.


Structure of Crime Stoppers

Delaware Crime Stopper is organized as a not for profit organization(Charity).  Our civilian community Board of Directors provide direction as to the financial and promotional activities of the program.  Our Board of Directors enhances the community involvement aspect and its function is vital to the program’s success.  The Board of Directors meets on a monthy basis conducting business and reviewing rewards.

Does Delaware Crime Stoppers Work?

The answer is quite simply yes. Since the start of Delaware Crime Stoppers, many calls have been received resulting in hundreds of arrests and recovery of substantial amounts of property. Calls have included information about murder, robbery, rape, assaults, drug and firearm offenses.

The success of our Crime Stoppers program cannot be purely judged on statistics, however, other benefits have come to notice:

  • A greater awareness in the community that there is a crime problem.
  • A willingness by the community to fight back against crime if it is given the opportunity and motivation.
  • Improved relationships between police, media, and the community.

Delaware Crime Stoppers is definitely here to stay. It has been accepted by all of Delaware police as a valid and effective investigative tool and the public, through its overwhelming response, appears to have accepted it as a safer alternative to the traditional methods of providing information.