Crime Stoppers is seeking help from the public in reporting information on serious crimes as well as criminal cases that remain unsolved. The community-based organization's mission is to solve and prevent serious crime in Houston in partnership with citizens, media, law enforcement, and the criminal justice system.

Jason Feldpausch of Crime Stoppers of Houston gave a presentation at the Houston Property Rights Association luncheon at the Courtyard on February 29th concerning the need for community support of the crime fighting organization. Mr. Feldpausch explained that Crime Stoppers has two programs aimed at preventing and reporting crimes in schools, and at apartment complexes.

The Safe School Program provides cash rewards for anonymous tips from students that prevent or solve campus crimes. The program lets students report information on a special tip line without fear of retaliation. There is a standing reward of $1000 for hotline tips leading to the apprehension of an individual in possession of a firearm on a school campus. The same reward is offered for apprehension of an individual in possession of a bomb, or who has made a bomb threat. From 1997 to 2007 Crime Stoppers paid $150,380 in tip rewards for weapon possession, narcotics and other school crimes.

In the Safe Apartment Program residents can report criminal activity on the anonymous tip line and turn in offenders, which helps to reduce crime in their complex. Crime Stoppers provides training to apartment managers, teaching them how to recognize and report crime.

Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards up to $5000 for information leading to the arrest and charging of a felony offender. All calls will remain anonymous. An individual can call in any felony crime or fugitive and provide information. It does not have to be an advertised crime, or those that have been reported in the media. The caller gets a code number when a tip is reported. The tip is then investigated by law enforcement, and if charges are filed a reward will be due. The caller will receive a payout by presenting the code number at a bank. No name is given, and the caller does not have to testify in court.

Mr. Feldpausch pointed out that several high profile crimes were solved recently by Crime Stoppers' tips. The Clear Lake murders of four teens was solved by two different tips over a year period. The reward offered by Crime Stoppers and the families totaled $100,000, and was divided between the two tipsters. The case of a murdered volunteer firefighter trying to follow suspects in his car was also solved by a tip. In one case, Feldpausch said, one tip solved 13 robberies committed by the same perpetrators.

Crime Stoppers is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Operational income is from individual/corporate memberships and fund raising events. It is also funded through foundation donations, state grants, and the Harris County criminal justice system. Mr. Feldpausch said contributions from citizens are needed to support the mission of helping law enforcement solve crimes in the Houston area.