ABOUT US:
The History of Crime Stoppers:
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.
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.
The Success of Crime Stoppers in Durham Region:
Since its inception in April, 1986, Durham Regional Crime Stoppers has received over 20,000 hot line calls. It has been responsible for the arrest of over 3,000 criminals resulting in over 8,000 charges and the clearing of 3,035 criminal cases. These cases have lead to the recovery of over $6 million dollars in stolen property and the seizure of over $61 million dollars in narcotics.
In 1995, Durham Regional Crime Stoppers introduced their Student Crime Stoppers Awareness program to the high school community throughout Durham Region. A total of 19 area schools have partnered with Crime Stoppers to encourage the student community to use Crime Stoppers as a way to report crime.
A community-minded group of board of Directors is comprised of people from all walks of life. The success of this program is found in its unique partnership with the public, news media and the police.
Our Stats Since 1986:
Arrests 3,060
Charges laid 8,400
Property recovered $6,490,000
Drugs seized $61,600,000
Charges laid 8,400
Property recovered $6,490,000
Drugs seized $61,600,000
