Human stories lurk behind the numbers
Statistics of successful tips to CrimeStoppers only tell part of the story.
Case in point: Every month police investigate aggravated robberies in which victims are
threatened or injured, sometimes seriously. But one report of an aggravated
robbery on February 1, 2019 seemed especially grievous to police and CrimeStoppers.
An elderly Memphis woman was walking a short distance home from a store that day. She was using a walker. Then a man approached her, knocked her down, and stole her money.
An anonymous caller in March gave CrimeStoppers identifying information that helped police arrest Dezmond Lofties as the perpetrator of the robbery and
assault. The citizen who called was awarded $700 for the tip.
In March, 20 tips led to the arrests of 21 men and women and the clearing of 20 separate felony cases. The CrimeStoppers Board Awards Committee awarded a total $7,400 to citizens who helped. Tips helped catch a homicide fugitive, among 16 wanted individuals.
Websites continue
to build awareness
CrimeStoppers and its many programs are explained - and the public is engaged - in various places on the internet.
Our main website explains the organization's purpose, and keeps count on major cases in which police need help from citizens -
crimestopmem.org.
A companion site helps students keep their schools safer -
trustpays.org.
Senior citizens who are afraid or otherwise need help can find information they can use at another site -
Spanish-speaking citizens can learn about CrimeStoppers on a fourth site -
Because the theft of copper and other metals has become a major problem in the metro area we launched CopperStoppers:
Now the public can view the list of current fugitives, including photos on our newest site - memphismostwanted.org.
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There you will find up-to-date information about your hometown and how you can help us make Memphis a safer place for everyone.
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