What is Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers?

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PENNSYLVANIA CRIME STOPPERS INCREASES REWARD OFFERINGS

HARRISBURG (SEPT. 1, 2000) -- Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers announced today that they are increasing the maximum amount of reward money being offered by the Program. Since the Program was established on April 20, 1986, the maximum reward payment offered has remained at … "UP TO $1000.00". The program's Board of Directors recently voted to increase the maximum reward as of Sept. 1, 2000, to… "UP TO $2,000."

The new maximum is only for calls received on or after Sept.1, 2000. It is not retroactive to calls received prior to that date.

Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers is a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation that was founded through the efforts of the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association and the citizens of the Commonwealth. Reward money is raised through contributions solicited from service organizations, social clubs, business men-women, corporations and interested residents, as well as through fundraising events held by the corporation.

In making the announcement, Peggy Severine, State Coordinator for the Program, said, "The Board of Directors believes that as we enter the 21st Century, Crime Stoppers also should enter a new era by increasing the maximum reward amount". Severine said that since its inception, "Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers has proven to be a valuable investigative tool for law enforcement and a very successful crime-fighting program for the citizens of the Commonwealth".

In endorsing the Program, Governor Tom Ridge said, "Crime Stoppers gives every Pennsylvanian a unique opportunity to take criminals off the street and make our communities safer."

State Police Commissioner, Paul J. Evanko said the "two primary reasons why people do not give information are (1) they are afraid of retaliation, and (2) they don't want to get involved." Crime Stoppers virtually eliminates those problems by providing a toll-free telephone number-1-800-4PA-TIPS-- that allows callers to remain anonymous. "Crime Stoppers is not interested in your name; they are interested in your information," Evanko said.

# # #