During the Midland City Council meeting on Jan. 14, a proclamation was presented declaring January as “Crime Stoppers Month” in support of the organization's contributions to public safety.
Crime Stoppers is a community-based nonprofit solving crimes through tips from the public. It provides a secure and anonymous platform for citizens to submit tips, which are routed to local law enforcement.
Midland’s Crime Stoppers program marks its 41st anniversary in January 2025. Since its inception in January 1984, it has aided law enforcement in making 9,881 arrests, recovering $2.78 million in property, and seizing $6.28 million worth of narcotics. The organization has paid $583,000 in rewards to tipsters.
Midland Mayor Lori Blong praised the organization’s efforts during the meeting, saying it has made a “huge impact on our community.”
According to Crime Stoppers USA, the organization originated in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1976 when a young detective was frustrated by a lack of leads in the murder of a college student. Recognizing that information often lies with individuals other than the perpetrator, the detective collaborated with members of the community, media, and law enforcement to create a system encouraging anonymous tips. This partnership led to the launch of the first Crime Stoppers program on Sept. 8, 1976, a model that has since expanded to communities worldwide.
The organization offers three avenues for the public to submit anonymous tips:
P3 Tips Mobile App: Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play, this app allows users to submit tips with attached videos and images. Users are required to save the provided Tip ID and password after submission.
Website: Tips can be submitted through the "Submit a Tip" button on the Crime Stoppers website. Users are able to upload detailed information along with multimedia files such as videos, images, documents, or audio files.
Phone: Individuals can call 888-CRIME-SC (274-6372) to provide information. Saving the Tip ID and password is required for follow-up and reward eligibility.
According to Midland’s Crime Stoppers, the organization and its impact gained acceptance from law enforcement as a valid and effective investigative tool and the public has responded positively, viewing it as a more “palatable alternative” to traditional methods of providing information.
According to its website, the 41st Annual Awards Banquet for Midland Crime Stoppers will be held on Jan. 30 to celebrate the organization's contributions to public safety and to recognize its supporters. The event also honors local law enforcement, with department heads from the Midland Police Department, Midland County Sheriff's Office, Midland ISD Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, and Texas DPS selecting one officer from their agency to receive the Midland Crime Stoppers Officer of the Year Award.
For more information on Midland Crime Stoppers or to submit a tip, visit midlandcrimestoppers.com.