Taking Back Our Streets: Crime Stoppers

SHREVEPORT, LA (KSLA) - Crime Stoppers is helping to take back our streets each and every day when someone calls in to report information about a crime.

Crime Stoppers says it does not want your name, only your information.

While many are reluctant to come forward with information, those who are on the Crime Stoppers board say there is nothing to worry about.

Reed Ebarb, president of Shreveport-Caddo Crime Stoppers, says operators don’t even see the number calling in.

It is total anonymity.

“It’s been a common problem that people have believed that their calls are not truly anonymous, that police were tracking it,” he said.

"And, really, we have no way of doing that.

“Reason being when they call in, we have the phone company stop their phone number at the transition center,” Ebarb explained. "So it never makes it to the call center. So we have no idea of where it comes from. So it shows up “call unknown.” So we just take their information and take it to the Police Department.”

Ebarb said when calls come in, operators take down the information and send it to detectives or investigators working on the case. There is no identifying information that is asked or taken down.

If your tip leads to an arrest, there also are measures taken to ensure you receive the cash reward but still remain anonymous.

“To ensure anonymity, we tell them to call back on Mondays. We call them “Crime Stopper Mondays,” Ebarb explained.

Tipsters call during a certain set of hours and give the tip number to the operator to see what stage the case is in; whether there is an arrest or not.

Even if a case goes to trial, the tipster never has to testify and is not identified.

That’s simply because no one knows who they are.

The only information provided at trial is information from the tip.

The Shreveport-Caddo Crime Stoppers call center is manned 24/7. You can call (318) 673-7373 or send your tips through the mobile app p3tips.

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