I live in Florida and there is a program called crime stoppers that encourages people to report illegal activity going on in the community.It offers up to $1000 reward for information leading to an arrest.The program also say it offers unanimous identification numbers instead of names to identify informants . In the city I live in crime is very common.I have a few questions about this program or similar ones.

Do they actually ever give anyone money for information ?

How would an informant get the money if they are supposedly unanimous( you can not write unanimous for a name in a check) ?

& If someone gave information that led to an arrest would that person be continually hounded by police for more information?Or could an informant be forced into retrieving more information for police ?

Yes, they do pay for information but only if it leads to an arrest and conviction.

The key is the conviction.

This is where it gets sticky. In order to convict, they usually have to have a witness. Guess who they are going call when they need someone to testify.

So the catch 22 is, remain anonymous, refuse to testify and perhaps not get paid because they couldn't convict, or, show up in court, face the person you turned in, testify against them, and if convicted, collect your reward.

As for writing the check, I would assume (could be wrong) that if they convict and agree to pay the reward, the check will be written to you without your name being recorded or retained in any of the documents pertaining to the case.

This is all 100% opinion, hopefully someone else has actual personal experience with this and can offer something more concrete.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bill2009

I live in Florida and there is a program called crime stoppers that encourages people to report illegal activity going on in the community.It offers up to $1000 reward for information leading to an arrest.The program also say it offers unanimous identification numbers instead of names to identify informants . In the city I live in crime is very common.I have a few questions about this program or similar ones.

Do they actually ever give anyone money for information ?

How would an informant get the money if they are supposedly unanimous( you can not write unanimous for a name in a check) ?

& If someone gave information that led to an arrest would that person be continually hounded by police for more information?Or could an informant be forced into retrieving more information for police ?

---

In my area the wording is "info leading to the arrest and conviction ..." so you either have to be willing to testify OR have enough believable info (second hand, perhaps) that the Police can act.

In my area, yes, tipsters are given ID numbers and are paid in cash. Obviously the person in charge of the ID numbers has the names and addresses. They do not pay by check because in order to have the "tipsters" remain anonymous there can be no tracking.

Would the tipster be hounded? Probably depends on what the tipster furnishes - and why and how they came upon the info. Also what else the Police want to know.

When I worked for the Feds there was also an anonymous tipline, just wasn't talked about much, and people were paid.

Why would a person who has info only give it to the Police if they were getting paid? I have no idea. Also seems like a good way to get yourself killed - depending on the info and where the tipster got it. I believe tipsters are less respected than jailhouse snitches - at least the snitches trade for time off; the tipsters trade for money.

The person I would turn in is a very despicable human being. The money is not as important as the police taking action. However I do not want to find myself in a situation where police officers are always hounding me. The person I would turn in is about to apply for a job with the FAA and hopes to be an Air Traffic Controller. He is a drug dealer and has robbed numerous people and businesses. I would be content just having him arrested for what he is doing.It is not safe to have a person like him in control of the lives of other people.( Do you really want someone of that character and mindset directing airline traffic ?) Ether way I am writing a letter to the FAA regrading his interest the organization.It would helpful to have an arrest on his record to prevent him from being hired. He was arrested for rape before he was 18 but I don't think that's still on his record.

Yes they do pay the money,

Your tip is done and you are given a claim number.

Your do have to come forward and be identified to actually get your money, now that is suppose to be keep secret also but a few in that dept will know who you are when you get your money.