About Crime Stoppers
Cook County Crimes Stoppers d/b/a Chicago Crime Stoppers is a non-profit, community-led program that enables people to anonymously report information about serious crimes across Cook County, from Chicago to surrounding municipalities. Crime Stoppers offer cash rewards for anonymous tips that lead to arrests or indictments and collaborate with law enforcement, citizens, and businesses to gather anonymous tips.
Cook County Crime Stoppers Impact Over the Years
For Decades, Cook County Crimes Stoppers has helped turn community tips into meaningful outcomes for public safety
Millions of dollars
in recovered property and narcotics,
returned or removed from circulation through tip-driven investigation.
Thousands of anonymous tips
received, empowering residents to
share information safely.
Numerous cases advanced or solved,
helping move investigation forward.
Approximately 3,000 arrests
over the years, connected to
information provided by tipsters.
Origins & Founding
The Beginning of Crime Stoppers
The first Crime Stoppers program ever was started in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1976.
It was created after detective realized that ordinary citizens with information about a murder were afraid to come forward.
The partnership of police, medina and community, with an emphasis on anonymous tips and cash rewards, let to a quick arrest in that early case.
1976
The Beginning of Crime Stoppers
The concept spread nationwide, and by the 1980's, multiple Crime Stoppers chapters were created across the country, including Illinois communities.
1980s
1985
The Beginning of Crime Stoppers
Cook County Crime Stoppers officially launched in 1985. Since then, it has worked with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to gather anonymous tips and encourage public participation in solving crimes.
The program's work is funded primarily through private donations and fundraisers.
Our Place Within Crime Stoppers
Connected Statewide. Recognized Nationally. Serving Cook County.
• Cook County Crime Stoppers d/b/a Chicago Crime Stoppers is one of 63 local Crime Stoppers programs in Illinois, coordinated in part by the Illinois State Crime Stoppers Association (organized in the late 1980s to support and certify programs across the state).
• State association that enables collaboration, standards, and networking among regional programs like Cook County’s.
• Cook County Crime Stoppers is the ONLY organization in the Nation that has a program that is dedicated to Street Canvassing of unsolved homicide cases.
Every tip - no matter how small it may seem - has the potential to protect lives, bring accountability, and strengthen our communities.
Figures are compiled from internal reporting and historical local media coverage over decades. Totals reflect cumulative outcomes rather than annual counts.
Contact Us
⋆ Ph: 1-800-535-7867
Quick Links
⋆Cook County Crime Stoppers
PO Box 8105
Chicago, IL 60608
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