CRIME STOPPERS
DOTHAN AREA CRIME STOPPERS – DACS
Dothan Area Crime Stoppers (DACS) is a private, not-for-profit organization. Its civilian-based, community board of directors provides direction as to the financial and promotional activities of the program. The board of directors enhances the community involvement aspect, and its function is vital to the program’s success.
The Crime Stoppers program is funded by private donations, fundraising, and the Crime Stoppers Trust Fund. NO TAX DOLLARS are involved. The reward money paid out by the program is from fundraising and donations from concerned citizens and businesses.
A community board of directors, made up of persons from throughout the area, meets on a monthly basis to evaluate arrests and to decide on the size of rewards to be paid, up to $1,000. Rewards are then distributed in a private manner to the callers. Callers are eligible for rewards up to $1,000, but, despite this, many callers choose not to collect their rewards.
Dothan Area Crime Stoppers (DACS) consists of the following law enforcement agencies:
- Dothan Police Department
- Houston County Sheriff’s Office
- Headland Police Department
- Abbeville Police Department
DOTHAN AREA CRIME STOPPERS HOTLINE
CRIME STOPPERS HOTLINE 334-793-7000
Calls are received at the local Crime Stoppers tips line phone. This phone is a stand-alone instrument that does not provide caller ID, and conversations are not recorded. The Crime Stoppers Coordinator receiving the information completes the tips information form, makes initial inquiries, and then passes the information to the investigating law enforcement officer. Calls are accepted regarding any publicized request for information, such as “Crime of the Week” or such other crime(s) the caller has knowledge of.
By guaranteeing a caller`s anonymity, Crime Stoppers allows the caller to give information in a positive atmosphere without the prospect of retribution. By offering cash rewards for information leading to indictment or arrests, the program encourages otherwise reluctant callers to provide information.
TIPSOFT WEB TIPS
The very unique integrated Two-Way Dialog capabilities allow the tipster to come back and provide additional information to their tip at any time, but also provide a secure means for the coordinator to ask questions or provide reward information back to the tipster through the same secure and encrypted interface.
To submit online enter www.Tipsubmit.com into the URL address bar of the internet window.
Click Here to Submit A Tip Form
TIPSOFT SMS TEXT-A-TIP
Tipsters also have the option of sending an anonymous crime tip via a text message from the tipster’s cell phone. As with online tips, text message tips are also completely secure and anonymous. Once the text message is sent, the tipster will receive a text message from Crime Stoppers with their confidential code number so they may add additional information to the original tip if necessary. Using the same Two-Way dialog capabilities of online tip reporting, Crime Stoppers will be able to re-contact tipsters via text message regarding their tips.
To send a text message tip from a cell phone, Text “DACS plus your message” to CRIMES (274637)
Text STOP to 274637 to cancel. Text HELP to 274637 for help. Msg&Data Rates May Apply.
Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use.
For a demonstration of this new technology, go to www.SMSCrimeTips.com.
DOES CRIME STOPPERS WORK?
The answer is quite simply, yes. Since the start of Crime Stoppers, many calls have been received resulting in thousands of arrests and recovery of substantial amounts of property. Calls have included information about murder, robbery, rape, assaults, and drug and firearm offenses.
The success of a 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.
Crime Stoppers is definitely here to stay. It has been accepted by law enforcement as a valid and effective investigative tool and the public, through its overwhelming response, appears to have accepted it as a more palatable alternative to traditional methods of giving information.
