Tips Pouring In: Helpful Calls To Crime Stoppers Of Michigan Jump 37%
DETROIT (WWJ) - More and more people are calling in tips.
That's according to Crime Stoppers of Michigan President John Broad, who says the number of helpful calls coming into Crime Stoppers has jumped 37-percent jump from this time last year.
Broad said 17 murders have been solved, 48 drug operations have been shut down and 29 fugitives have been brought to justice with the help of Crime Stoppers tipsters, so far in 2014.
Broad says the boost indicates that more people are trusting police.
"I think that people have a stronger belief that information that we give the police will be acted on," Broad told WWJ's Russ McNamara. "You know, there was kind of a period where people were a little discouraged. 'What good would it do to give any information? Nothing's gonna happen'."
"I think that's changing, which is a big thing," Broad said.
The cash helps, too, said Broad, with more than $78,450 in reward money handed out this year. That's quite a bit when compared with the total of $88,230 handed out in 2013.
Broad also credits a new ad campaign.
"Maybe you've seen the billboards where influential people in Detroit, well-respected people, are vouching for the fact that Crime Stoppers is anonymous. People like Reverand Branch, Bishop Van, Charlie Langton, saying you have my word: 100 percent anonymous."
Calls to the 1-800-SPEAK-UP tip line goes to a specialized call center in Canada, and there is no called ID, said Broad; and an anymous tipster will never have to testify in court.
"People are starting to look out for each other, which is a great thing," Broad said"You know, you can see it. There's a little more optimism about Detroit, and I think the whole region."
