Nearly everyone has heard of Crime Stoppers, but most people don’t know a great deal about the program – what it is and how it works. Here are some of the most common questions and answers.
What exactly is Crime Stoppers?
Crime Stoppers is a community organization that solicits anonymous tips about crimes and criminals, and then pays small rewards when tips lead police to make an arrest. Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers serves Bernalillo, Sandoval, Valencia, and Torrance Counties.
Where did Crime Stoppers come from?
Crime Stoppers originated right here in Albuquerque in 1976 after a senseless, brutal murder. It has grown to include more than 1200 programs in some 24 countries. Over 1.25 million cases have been solved worldwide!
Isn’t Crime Stoppers part of law enforcement?
No, we are a private, non-profit organization that receives no tax dollars for its work. Crime Stoppers aids law enforcement but is not part of law enforcement.
So how is Crime Stoppers funded?
Crime Stoppers is largely dependent on financial support from individuals and businesses within our community. We are a 501(c)(3) organization.
How are tips submitted and how do they remain anonymous?
We accept tips by phone, P3 Mobile app or web tips at P3tips.com. As long as the published tip number, tips are passed through a software program that masks all sender information. Although veteran detectives receive the tips, the sender’s identity is unknown. We want your information, not your name!
How Much Is The Reward?
Rewards range from $25 to $2,500. They are paid in cash and kept small to insure that callers can remain anonymous. Every reward is approved by the Board of Directors – community members who oversee the program and work to raise funds.
How can I help?
Donations are always needed! Checks can be mailed to our PO box listed below; or use the donate button to to make a secure credit card donation. You can even designate some or all of your United Way giving to Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers. To learn more about us, call to arrange a presentation for your business or organization.
When a young college student, Michael Carmen, was shot to death during a robbery at an Albuquerque, New Mexico gas station in July 1976, Detective Greg MacAleese had no idea who was responsible for the killing.
No witnesses came forward and it appeared the senseless and brutal shotgun slaying would remain a mystery.
MacAleese, who worked for a newspaper before joining the Albuquerque Police Department, knew something innovative would be necessary to encourage the public to get involved and help solve the murder.
He conceived the idea of producing a video re-enactment of the homicide, guaranteed anonymity for anyone who was willing to call him with information and put up a reward from his own pocket to encourage someone to provide a lead that would help identify those responsible for the murder of Carmen.
It seemed almost unnecessary to take such extraordinary steps to solve the killing of Carmen. It was a case that should have outraged the community and brought forth many witnesses.
Carmen was only two weeks away from getting married and had taken an extra shift at the gas station to give a co-worker the night off. When police responded to an emergency call they found Carmen gravely wounded. He’s been shot in the abdomen at point blank range with a 12-gauge shotgun.
The medical staff kept him alive for four hours and during that time he tried to tell detectives who was responsible, but he just didn’t have the strength to form the words.
At that time Albuquerque had one of the highest per capita crime rates in the country and people were afraid to help the police.
MacAleese plan to identify those responsible for killing Carmen worked. Within a few hours after the recreation of the murder was broadcast on television station KOAT, he received a phone call. The video image had triggered the memory of a person who heard a loud bang in the vicinity of the gas bar and then saw a car driving off. The caller told MacAleese the vehicle belonged to a resident in a nearby apartment complex.
Through investigation MacAleese and a team of detectives arrested two men within 72 hours and charged them with the murder of Carmen and a string of armed robberies.
MacAleese received other calls following the reenactment, including one that allowed police to solve the rape of a young woman. Realizing that this type of program might be useful in fighting crime, MacAleese convinced the Albuquerque Police Department to allow a group of citizens to establish the first Crime Stoppers program.
For his efforts Detective MacAleese was named one of the people in the 1970’s who changed the face of the United States and was also named the country’s Police officer of the Year. It’s also interesting to note that since adopting Crime Stoppers Albuquerque’s crime rate has dropped significantly and no longer is ranked in the list of 20 cities with the highest per capita crime rate.
Tim Sheahan
Chairman
Roger Legendre
Vice Chairman