Members of Crime Stoppers Board of Directors and Domino's Pizza from two local franchises recently launched a campaign to spread the word about Crime Stoppers. Domino's has agreed to put Crime Stopper logos on their pizza boxes and on their delivery vehicles. Pictured above are (left to right) John Flink, board member. Sue Shepard, board member, Paul Sklena, manager of Northwest Highway Domino's, Donna McAllister, board member, George Cooper, president, and Pat Kotnaur, board member.

Crime Stopper Program In Des Plaines
Unites Government, Business And Community
In Fight Against Local Criminal Activity

By KAREN M. HENRIKSON, Des Plaines Public Relations Coordinator

A unique program uniting government officials, business personnel and various representatives of other local public agencies in the fight against crime is meeting with success in Des Plaines, Illinois. In fact, the Des Plaines Crime Stopper Program is so successful that if you order a pizza in the City the delivery vehicle and the pizza box may arrive bearing the Crime Stopper logo and phone number.

The Des Plaines Crime Stopper Program is a branch of the internationally organized Crime Stopper Program initiated in Albuquerque, New Mexico approximately 10 years ago. The national program, as well as the local version, is based on the concept of rewarding individuals monetarily for information on local criminal activity which leads to an arrest or conviction.

The program involves establishing a telephone hotline for tips on criminal activity. In Des Plaines that hotline is 699-7876. That's 699-STOP.

The caller's identity is protected and he/she may qualify for a reward of up to $1,000.00.

When a call is received on the Crime Stopper hotline the time, date, and a summary of the information is fogged and assigned a number. The caller's name is never required.

If the information results in an arrest, the filing of felony or criminal charges, or the recovery of stolen property, contact will be made with the caller and arrangements will be made so that the person can receive his reward in cash and preserve his identity.

While the police play a role in the Crime Stoppers Program, the responsibility for establishing policy, raising funds and controlling the amount of reward payments rests with the Crime Stoppers Board of Directors. The Des Plaines Crime Stoppers Board organized in 1983 following the attendance of two Des Plaines representatives at a Crime Stoppers Midwest conference. Having met the chief's approval and the support of the Chamber of Commerce, the program was launched.

In Des Plaines the President of the Crime Stoppers is the owner of a local business. The Board is comprised of a representative of the local Chamber of Commerce, a dean from the local high school district, the Director of the Des Plaines Park District and the Mt. Prospect Park District, a representative of the local clergy, the Administrator of the Des Plaines Public Library, a local

November 1987 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 17

attorney, the Des Plaines City Clerk, the Des Plaines Public Relations Coordinator, a local insurance broker, a representative of a bank, three local corporate representatives, a retiree and a Des Plaines Police Sergeant who serves as a liaison to the Board.

Crime Stoppers, a non-profit organization, derives its funds from individual and corporate donations. In the past, the Des Plaines Crime Stoppers has held sock hops, bike-a-thons at the local high school, and has sold items such as pens at the local Lake Park Festival. Money is used for cash rewards, as well as for promotional purposes.

Publicity is important to the program. The local press has agreed to publish a crime of the week and encourage individuals to call the hotline if they have information regarding the crimes. In addition, a local cable show has been produced describing how the Crime Stopper Program works. The show and the 30 second commercial that were taped featured members of the Des Plaines Crime Stoppers Board and a crime scene reenactment. Local publications, such as the municipal quarterly newsletter, the park district quarterly program and the Des Plaines Municipal Services And Information Brochure feature the Crime Stoppers hotline number and articles on the program.

It was through promotional efforts that Domino's Pizza in Des Plaines decided to become actively involved in the Crime Stoppers Program by displaying logos and the Program phone number on the sides of their delivery vehicles, as well as pizza boxes. Approximately 20,000 pizza boxes were initially labeled with the Crime Stopper information.

The idea of merging the Crime Stopper Program promotion with Domino's Pizza originated following the printing of an article in The Caller, the Crime Stopper International publication. The Caller announced that a Crime Stopper Program in Texas had been successful in obtaining tips on four local teens who were responsible for causing problems to local Domino Pizza delivery personnel. Seeing how well Crime Stoppers helped the Texas based franchise, the owner of the local Domino's decided to enter into a cooperative agreement with the Des Plaines Crime Stoppers Board. As a result the public relations campaign was launched.

The Board, in cooperation with the municipality, recently posted signs throughout the community displaying the hotline phone number. The signs were hung on posts bearing "no parking" signs by members of the Board.

The Crime Stopper Board meets monthly. A special meeting is held when the amount of an award must be determined. Meetings are held at the Des Plaines Library. If interested in finding out more about the Crime Stopper Program call President George Cooper at 296-0140 or Pat Kotnaur at 824-4200. •

Page 18 / Illinois Municipal Review / November 1987