CrimeStoppers of Memphis and Shelby County will start paying $2,000 in
cash for tips leading to arrests in local murders — a doubling of the amount that has been available in homicide cases until now.
The decision was made by the agency’s board of directors in the face of a
precipitous rise in the murder rate in Memphis and Shelby County the last few
years. As of yesterday — Monday, June 7, 2021 — 103 murders have been
committed, a 13% hike over last year’s pace. Arrests of suspects have occurred in about half of those cases, five with the help of citizen tips to CrimeStoppers.
“This increase in the award we pay for homicides is a significant step for
CrimeStoppers. It’s also a windfall for the citizen who has information about a crime and who may find an award an incentive to contact us at 528-CASH (2274),” said E. Winslow (Buddy) Chapman, executive director of the organization. “We believe we must do more in the struggle to slow the rate of violent crime, especially homicides.
“We hope by doubling our award more citizens will contact us with
information helping law enforcement solve more of these killings,” Chapman added.
CrimeStoppers has been paying as much as $1,000 for successful tips since
its inception in 1983. Calls to 528-CASH (2274) are anonymous. Tipsters are given an ID number, so that they can check later to see if the information they provided led to an arrest and a cash award.
In some cases, additional award amounts are added to CrimeStoppers
awards. In those cases, families or local and state government agencies supply the extra award money, which is kept in the bank by CrimeStoppers until an arrest is made.
CrimeStoppers is an independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit organization
governed by volunteer citizens. The cash awards are paid out each month thanks to
donations from individuals and businesses.
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