Rockford Area Crime Stoppers was founded in 1981 as a cooperative effort by citizens, civic leaders, the media and law enforcement officials to promote community involvement and welfare. The primary purpose of the program is to reduce crime and create a safer living environment by offering cash rewards to individuals who provide information which is used by law enforcement authorities in their efforts to identify criminal activity, solve crimes, recover stolen property and apprehend fugitives. Thus creating the impression to potential offenders the possibility of getting away with a crime is greatly reduced.

The Crime Stoppers Program is managed by the Winnebago County Sheriff's office Crime Stopper Division, which is located in the Public Safety Building. The city of Rockford helps pay part of the operating costs of the Division which is staffed by one full time Deputy who acts as the program coordinator, Richard Gambini, and one full time assistant who is employed by Crime Stoppers.

View more information on their website.

People with information regarding criminal activity and fugitive locations are often reluctant to talk to law enforcement officials because they fear retaliation. The Crime Stoppers Program is designed to protect the identity of callers who are never asked their name when they give information, and we do not use caller ID. The caller is assigned a code number, which is used on the information file, and the referral sheet is forwarded to the appropriate agency for the follow up investigation. Callers also use their code to check on the status of the case, add information to the case, report other criminal activity, and to collect their reward.

Crime Stoppers pays a cash reward up to $1,000.00 when an arrest is made or a crime is solved as a result of the caller's information. The amount of payment to the Crime Stopper caller is determined by the program coordinator and the Crime Stoppers Board of Directors who meet twice monthly to set the rewards.