NCJ Number
50051
Journal
Police Magazine Volume: 1 Issue: 4 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1978) Pages: 35-39
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE CRIME STOPPERS PROGRAM IN ALBUQUERQUE, N. MEX., IS DESCRIBED. IT PAYS WITNESSES AND INFORMANTS UP TO $1,000 TO EFFECT LAW ENFORCEMENT.
Abstract
THE REWARD IS PAID FOR INFORMATION THAT LEADS TO FELONY INDICTMENTS AND CONVICTIONS. EACH WEEK, DETECTIVES IN THE ALBUQUERQUE POLICE DEPARTMENT SELECT A CRIME THAT HAS STYMIED THEM. KNOWN DETAILS ABOUT THE CRIME ARE PRINTED ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE CITY'S AFTERNOON NEWSPAPER ON MONDAY, REENACTED ON THE EVENING TELEVISION NEWS, AND BROADCASTED ON NUMEROUS TELEVISION AND RADIO STATIONS. THE 'CRIME OF THE WEEK' IS THE ONLY SENSATIONAL ELEMENT IN THE CRIME STOPPERS PROGRAM. MOST PROGRAM ACTIVITIES DEAL WITH CASES THAT ARE NEVER PUBLICIZED. THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN CREDITED WITH SOLVING ABOUT 500 FELONY CASES AND WITH LEADING TO THE RECOVERY OF ALMOST $500,000 WORTH OF STOLEN PROPERTY SINCE IT BEGAN OPERATING IN SEPTEMBER 1976. CRIME STOPPERS HAS RAISED ABOUT $50,000 AND PAID OUT ABOUT $38,000 IN REWARDS. OF 92 PROGRAM CASES THAT HAVE BEEN PROSECUTED, 91 HAVE RESULTED IN CONVICTIONS. THE STATE COURT OF APPEALS RULED IN ONE CASE THAT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE $1,000 CRIME STOPPERS PAYMENT FOR THE TESTIMONY OF AN IMPORTANT WITNESS AND THUS UPHELD A CONVICTION BASED ON THE TESTIMONY. POSSIBLE ABUSES WITHIN THE PROGRAM ARE NOTED. (DEP)