FAQs

What is Crime Stoppers?

Crime Stoppers is a program designed to solve crime with the help of concerned citizens. The program encourages community members to help fight crime by supplying leads through a anonymous tip.

The original Crime Stoppers program was founded in Albuquerque, NM in 1976. Today Crime Stopper programs are located worldwide. Your local program, that serves Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties, began in 1981. Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and a member of the Florida Association of Crime Stoppers (FACS) and Southeastern Crime Stoppers Association (SECSA).

What can you report to SWFL Crime Stoppers?

Abduction	Burglary Building	Hit and Run	Probation/Parole	Suspicious Activity
Aggravated Assault	Burglary Habitation	Home Invasion Robbery	Prostitution	Terrorism
Animal Abuse	Burglary Vehicle	Homicide	Robbery	Theft
Arson	Child Abuse	Human Trafficking	School Tip	Traffic Infraction
Attempted Murder	Damage Prop-Crim Misch	Innocent Images/Pornography	Sexual Assault	Vandalism
Bank Fraud	Drugs	Kidnapping	Sexual Predator	Vehicle Theft
Battery	Forgery	Missing Person	Shooting/Drive-By	Warrant
Bullying	Fraud	Pedophile	Stolen Property	Weapons

Students can report crimes that have taken place or are planned to take place on school campus or while on the bus to and from school. Student tipsters will remain 100% anonymous. The only person who will know you submitted a tip is YOU! Click on the Student Crime Stoppers page for more information.

How it works?

When you provide a tip, you will be given a Tip ID # and password. This Tip ID # and password is the ONLY WAY a tip can be tracked and a reward can be issued, if your tip led to an arrest. KEEP YOUR TIP ID # in a safe place where only you have access to it. This ID # is what identifies you.

You can check the status of your tip 24/7 by downloading the P3 Tips mobile app. You can also contact us every Wednesday between 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

Whether you provide a tip by phone, online, or through the P3 Tips mobile app, all tips are completely secure and anonymous.

How does Crime Stoppers guarantee anonymity?

The tipster’s information is received through segregated telephone lines. The phone calls go thru an answering service located in Canada which prevents any person in the United States to subpoena, or thru statute, request your tip information. No caller information is taken, nor is the call recorded in any manner.

Ways to Submit a Tip

By Phone: 1-800-780-TIPS (8477)
Online: p3tips.com/104
Download the P3 Tips mobile app

How does SWFL Crime Stoppers pay you?

In CASH! No identification needed.

PLEASE NOTE: Cash rewards are paid out in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties only. We do not have the capability to pay a tipster outside our program's region.

How is Crime Stoppers funded?

Funding of SWFL Crime Stoppers is provided through contributions from private individuals, businesses, fundraising events and grants. No state or federal funds are used.

A unique funding factor for Crime Stoppers is that grant dollars come exclusively from criminals. When they’re sentenced, criminals are assessed several fines – one of which goes back to Crime Stoppers. To help fund our non-profit program, they have to pay a $20 fine, which is given to the Office of the Attorney General in Tallahassee for administration. Of that fine, roughly $16 comes back to Crime Stoppers in the form of a grant. That grant helps with the 24/7 operation of Crime Stoppers. So we use criminals money to help put more criminals behind bars – it’s a win-win, especially for taxpayers.