It's working! But Crime Stoppers' success in Waukesha Co. leads to new issue

WAUKESHA CO. (WITI) -- Crime Stoppers of Waukesha County has seen a 350 percent increase in crime tips since the organization went digital in March 2012. But that has created a new problem. The massive increase in tip activity has resulted in a dramatic increase in the rewards that are paid out -- and donations are now being sought.

Crime Stoppers of Waukesha County is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization.  It is not government funded.  The organization is run by a board comprised of representatives from the District Attorney’s office, many county law enforcement agencies and citizen representatives from many of our communities. Officials say they do need community help to fund this program -- and contributions are tax deductible.

Crime Stoppers of Waukesha County went online with our new website and a new system through which individuals could send in tips by e-mail, text “WAUKESHA” plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES) or through stopcrimewaukesha.com and now through Facebook. Prior to March 2012, the only way to submit a tip was by calling a toll free phone number.

The Crime Stoppers of Waukesha County website is at stopcrimewaukesha.com and is also accessible through links on the websites for most of the school districts and police departments in the county, as well as through the Waukesha County and Waukesha County District Attorney websites.