The Crime Stoppers concept started in Albuquerque , New Mexico, in 1976. A teen was shot during a robbery, in a well-traveled, well-lit area of town on a busy Friday night. Weeks of investigation turned up no clues, and no one who saw the incident offered information or assistance.Detectives decided that there were two reasons why no one offered assistance on this case. Either they were afraid for their own physical safety from the culprits or they just did not care or want to get involved. To solve the problem of fear for their well being, they offered anonymity, and to combat apathy they offered cash rewards. Police could not offer rewards for anonymous information, so they needed a community board that could raise the money and pay the rewards. The community stepped up to the plate en masse. In order to spread a detailed account of the crime to the community as well as the anonymity and rewards, they needed the help of the media. Assistance was offered by the media and the first ever Crime Stoppers reenactment was done. Though a less than sterling production compared to today's work, it resulted in a case-solving tip the very next day on the teen's case. Furthermore, it also solved 4-5 other violent crimes. Word spread quickly regarding this incident and soon there were other U.S. programs. The concept has developed into a combination of efforts by local media, businesses, civic and social clubs, law enforcement agencies, and the public. Donations of airtime, newspaper space, and reward monies have established Crime Stoppers as an effective tool to fight crime in the area. Guam Crime Stoppers received its first call on August 26, 1985.
To develop Crime Stoppers as an effective crime-solving organization on Guam, with the primary objective of this tri-partite organization among Community, Media and Law Enforcement being, "Working together to solve crime".
Crime Stoppers is composed of diverse, active and dedicated community representatives. Crime Stoppers provides a method for local law enforcement to receive information on crimes. These efforts increase tips, which in turn increase arrests in our community.
Name | Position |
---|---|
James McDonald | Board Chairman |
Divina Evaristo | Board Vice Chairman |
Sallie McDonald | Board Secretary |
Wayne Santos | Board Treasurer |
Doris Quichocho | Board Member |
Richard Ybanez | Board Member |
Jessica Egli | Board Member |
Officer Paul Tapao | Crime Stoppers Coordinator |