Crime Stoppers program to include all of Linn County

The Crime Stoppers program that has assisted in solving Cedar Rapids crimes for more than 20 years soon will expand to include all Linn County towns.

Becky Weininger, interim chairwoman of the Crime Stoppers board, said the group hopes to be fully active in the county by the end of January. More fundraising and marketing of the program will follow, she said.

“We hope more people will be aware of what's going on and understand that there is a way to provide information anonymously, when they come across different crimes or witness things,” Weininger said.

Crime Stoppers is a privately-funded partnership between law enforcement and volunteers from communities. Law enforcement receives and investigates tips, while the volunteers raise reward money and decide how much should be given out.

The Cedar Rapids Crime Stoppers program started in 1986, but has only worked with the Cedar Rapids Police Department. Now, the board is planning to work with all police in the county and Sheriff Brian Gardner.

Weininger said the board will grow from 11 to 15 members. Seven of them will be from Cedar Rapids, three from Marion and one from Hiawatha and Mount Vernon, respectively. The other three will be from elsewhere in the county.

Central City Mayor Don Gray, one of the new members, thinks the move will help make the rural communities safer. With increased awareness, the vandalism and break-ins that happen in his town should decrease, he said.

“Years ago, we had a neighborhood watch program, and that kind of went by the wayside,” Gray said. “I think anything you can do to get the interest back in preventing crime will help.”

Weininger said the program hopes to lean more on social media to increase that awareness. The local program already has a Facebook fan page, and she said other social media could be used to spread information about featured crimes.

The program also will shift to non-profit status with the expansion, making all donations tax deductible. Weininger hopes that will spur more contributions.

In the past five years, more than $7,000 in reward money has been authorized for distribution by the Cedar Rapids Crime Stoppers, including $1,450 last year. But Sgt. Cristy Hamblin, of the Cedar Rapids Police Department, said the reward money often goes unclaimed.

When it is, arrangements can be made to ensure that the tipster remains unknown. Hamblin, who is responsible for delivering the money, once left about $200 in a Dumpster at a park.

“It's completely anonymous,” Hamblin said.

Iowa City Area Crime Stoppers already has a countywide format. Started three years ago, it works with police from Iowa City, Coralville, University Heights, North Liberty and the University of Iowa, as well as the Johnson County Sheriff's Office.

Hamblin said the expansion in Linn County just makes sense.

“Criminals don't stop at the borders of the city, coming in or going out, so why not make it countywide?” Hamblin said.

DID YOU KNOW?

The first Crime Stoppers program started in Albuquerque, N. M., after Detective Greg MacAleese successfully offered some of his own money as a reward for information about a murder at a gas station in 1976. MacAleese helped the first Crime Stoppers board get started, and now there are more than 1,100 chapters worldwide.