Crime Stoppers looks for citizen help to solve crimes

GREEN BAY, WI – (WGBW) – Crime Stoppers organizations have been around for decades as a way for the community to connect information to police anonymously. If the information pans out and results in an arrest, Crime Stoppers will reward the citizen.

Hans Lux, Junior, the coordinator with the Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers organization said even though they’ve been taking tips and helping police for years, people may not be aware of what they do.

“We think we’re underutilized as far as people in the communities knowing just who we are,” Lux said.

Green Bay Crime Stoppers formed in 1987. In 1988 they changed the name to Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers to serve all of Green Bay and Brown County. Lux says people who call 920-423-7867 (920-432-STOP), use the website at www.432STOP.com or the P3 App can all leave anonymous tips for law enforcement.

“There are times when people for whatever reason, maybe had a bad interaction with police or don’t trust them, we offer the ability for them to still get that information to law enforcement and to solve crimes,” Lux said. “And they can do it anonymously.”

In 2009, The Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers organization used the phone line as its primary way of collecting tips. They averaged 89 tips a year. 

“We didn’t think that was serving the community well enough. So we made a major investment into redoing what we were doing, as far as the different ways to get ahold of us,” said Lux. “And that has proved out very well.

Lux said they invested in a website and the P3 App to give people different ways, more convenient ways to give tips. Since they made those changes in 2009, Lux says they have received almost 12,000 tips and are averaging about 1200 tips in a year. The tips have led to the arrest of 1100 people and 1800 criminal charges.

Crime Stoppers in the schools

Lux said one of the newest ways Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers fights crime is in schools. The Students Stopping Crime program encourages students to report crimes, alcohol, drugs, or bullying in schools for cash rewards. Lux said in 2022/23 over 110 tips were sent to Students Stopping Crime for which about $2,500.00 was paid out.

“Our focus in the schools is to get rid of drugs, get rid of alcohol, get rid of bullying, vandalism. You name it,” Lux said. “The majority of kids who go to school want their school to be safe. So what we’ve done is allow them to take ownership of that.”  

Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers created a mat program for the local schools. The group places special mats at the entrances of the schools, with the school colors and logos and the information for Students Stopping Crime. Crime Stoppers USA awarded the organization with the community service award in November 2023, in recognition of the mat program.

Deterring gun crime

Jumping off of the success of the mats at the area schools, Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers is now working to combat some of the gun violence, by reminding people that buying a gun for someone who can’t is illegal. Seventy-six retailers that sell guns in Brown County place mats with this message on their counters.

“We want to remind everybody, that if you’re buying a gun for someone that can’t. In other words, making that straw purchase,” Lux said. “You’re like putting yourself at the scene of the crime when that gun is used. You’re looking at 15 years in prison and up to a $25,000 fine.”

Anonymity is key to Crime Stoppers success

Lux said staying anonymous is the key to people coming forward when they are aware of a crime. That is why Crime Stoppers is so careful to protect their identity.

“Whether it be a person in the community or whether it be somebody in school. Yes! We want to make sure that they remain anonymous,” Lux said. “That is what makes the program so successful.”