Wood County Crime Stoppers bases its success on three elements working together.  These are the community, law enforceemnt and the media.  Crime Stoppers relies on the community to step forward and pass on information, the media to publicizes recent unsolved crimes, and law enforcement to use the information to solve crimes.  Crime Stoppers is based on the principal that "someone other then the criminal has information that can solve a crime". 

Wood County Crime Stoppers originated in October 1981.  A board of Wood County citizens and law enforcement officers oversees the Crime Stoppers program.  They approve all cash rewards that are to be paid.  The amount of payment is based on the information presented.

Most information received by Crime Stoppers is via telephone.  An easy to remember number of (419)352-0077 or toll free 1-800-54-CRIME was set up.  These telephones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

It is not necessary to identify yourself when calling Crime Stoppers.  When a call is taken, the information is logged and passed on to the appropriate law enforcement jurisdiction.  Callers will be given a code number and their identity will not be asked for.  This code number is used at a later date when cash reqards are given out.

Today there are some 1,200 Crime Stoppers programs in 20 countries including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, Central America, and the Caribbean. These programs take tips to assist investigators with solving crimes that include homicides, sexual assaults, drug trafficking, and robberies.

Wood County Crime Stoppers is funded by community contributions and from the sale of items seized by police and sold at public auction.  Crime Stoppers does not receive direct funding from tax payers or government funding.  Donations are tax deducable.

Three Essential Partners

The Community
Wood County Crime Stoppers relies on tips and information called in by citizens.  This information can be about any crimes that have taken place, possible drug activity, or location of possible fugatives.

The Media
Local media outlets have responsibility for promoting Crime Stoppers by publicizing unsolved crimes and assisting with appeals to raise funds for the program.  The media also regularly promotes the special Crime Stoppers phone number.

The Police
Wood County Crime Stoppers phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  The information is taken from the caller, and then passed on to the appropraite law enforcement jurisdiction.  That information will be used to assist law enforcement in solving the crime.