Governor Bob Riley Proclaims January as CrimeStopper Month

Anonymous Tipsters Clear 95 Case in 2003
Anonymous Students Paid $1,450 to Report Crime on Campus

(Jan. 6, 2004) - The dawn of a new year signals the start of CrimeStopper month around the world. To mark the event in Central Alabama, Governor Bob Riley signed a proclamation to recognize the efforts of Central Alabama CrimeStoppers in battling crime and helping to maintain a safe community. In attendance at the signing was some of Montgomery Area CrimeStopper Board of Directors and Advisory Members.

Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright signed a proclamation January 6. Central Alabama CrimeStoppers is a member of Crime Stoppers International, consisting of more than 1,100 programs in 17 countries around the world. Montgomery CrimeStoppers has been instrumental is clearing 347 unsolved crimes in Montgomery, Autauga, and Elmore counties and has paid $7,680 in reward money to anonymous tipsters since it’s inception in 1997.

“2003 has been a good year for Montgomery CrimeStoppers” says Executive Director Susan Moss. “Anonymous tipsters to our hotline helped clear 95 cases including 1 capitol murder investigation in August. Naquaski Dorsey was arrested following a tip to our hotline after a report was aired on WSFA TV. A viewer called the hotline and gave information on the location of Dorsey who was wanted for questioning following a shooting that had left another man dead. Following the tip, Montgomery Police Department found Dorsey. He was questioned and later arrested and charged with capital murder. That anonymous tipster received $1,000 from CrimeStoppers.” Moss says CrimeStoppers paid $4,100 in reward money to anonymous tipsters in 2003. “CrimeStopper’s anonymous crime tip hotline makes it easy for the public to get involved. We keep our tipsters identity a secret and we pay rewards for the solving of any crime, big or small.”

In addition to its community program, CrimeStoppers also offers its anonymous tip line and cash rewards to students who report crime in schools. At participating schools, anonymous students reported 13 incidents involving marijuana and 3 cases involving a weapon. CrimeStoppers paid students $1,450 in reward money for their efforts to curb school crime. Moss says the anonymous tip hotline (215-STOP) gives students a safe outlet to report crime without the fear of peer retaliation. “The cash reward is also a great incentive to get the students involved. The students know what is going on in the schools. They see others doing drugs and participating in criminal activity. We offer them a way to report crime without anyone knowing who they are. It makes a big difference and it gives the schools an extra hand in stopping crime.”