Feb. 22, 2009 — In its barely two months of existence, Crime Stoppers USVI is well on the way to becoming an integral part of combating crime in the territory.
"We have had 35 tips so far," says the organizer and chairwoman of the V.I. group, Judi Frick, who was on St. Thomas this past week recruiting volunteers. Police Commissioner James McCall calls the organization a "boon to the territory."
The international organization was born out of the frustration of an Albuquerque, N.M., detective who had exhausted all the leads about the murder of a young college student. He used money from his own pocket and solicited the help of the public to come forward with information he knew must be out there. And he succeeded.
That was in 1976. Since then, members of the local community, media and law enforcement came together in partnership to begin the effort to provide crime-solving assistance to law enforcement.
Over its 32 years of existence, Crime Stoppers has paid out $88 million in rewards. With an average of $118 per arrest and a 95-percent conviction rate, a great many criminals have been taken off the streets.
Crime Stoppers USVI is a not-for-profit organization of private-citizen volunteers who work with law enforcement to identify crimes from information supplied by anonymous sources in the community. It is governed by a 13-member board of trustees, with three members on St. John and the remainder split between St. Croix and St. Thomas.
Every Wednesday the organization announces a Crime of the Week on each island. As a public service the Source publishes information. (See "Crimes of the Week: Crime Stoppers Needs the Community’s Help.")
The tip line goes to a service in the States and cannot be traced. The Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-TIPS phone line allows citizens to assist in getting criminals arrested, stolen property recovered and drugs and guns off the streets, with callers never having to identify themselves or testify in court.
Tips can also be reported online at the Crime Stoppers website. The process is completely secure and anonymous, powered by Anderson Software, the world's leading online anonymous tip solution provider.
Fricks is a dedicated volunteer, with seemingly boundless energy. The morning of her Source interview, she had already been interviewed on AMVI on Radio One, met with former Sen. Roosevelt David to help in setting up a youth program, and arrived early for a 10:30 a.m. interview. And she was preparing for a presentation that night before about 600 St. Thomas and St. John seventh-grade students at a Stop the Bleeding Youth Summit at the Reichhold Center amphitheater.
Fricks was recruited last year by Alan Brown.
"I'd been chair of the St. Croix Community Integration Team for three years," she says, "and I was passing the torch."
Brown, a retired accountant, directed Fricks' energy to starting up the local Crime Stoppers program.
"He has a passion for public service," Fricks says. "He is the glue that holds us together."
Brown is the civilian coordinator of the program and its treasurer.
"Since mid-January, from what I can see, it's been great, I would say fantastic," McCall says.
Adding another tip to the 35 so far, McCall says, "We received at least one more tip this week, and that's panning out." He added, "Personally, I was surprised to receive so many — 15 would have been great. Any time we can get the community's cooperation, it's extremely helpful. People are coming forward, and the program makes sure they cannot be intimidated."
The commissioner threw in some statistics of his own.
"The department has paid out over $40,000 in rewards in the last year," he says, noting the VIPD rewards are in addition to those paid by Crime Stoppers.
Fricks and McCall stress the organization is not run by the police department.
"The only thing we do is receive the tips," McCall says. "Lt. Thomas Hannah is our liaison. We want to say as often as we can that your anonymity cannot be breached."
Crime Stoppers memberships run $50 for individuals and between $100 and $200 for businesses, depending on the size of the business. Bronze, silver, gold and platinum memberships run between $1,000 and $10,000. Membership applications are available on the website.
Crime Stoppers gives the rewards on a sliding scale, with the most money going toward the most serious crimes and the most valuable information. Further information on receiving rewards or volunteering is available on the Crime Stoppers website.
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