Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers

What is Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers?

It is a volunteer organization of local business and community members that are dedicated to the reduction of crime, prompt solution of crimes and to rewarding individuals who provide information that leads to the arrest of criminals. Simply put, Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers is a group of concerned citizens who gather funds to reward individuals who provide information anonymously to assist law enforcement agencies with unsolved crime.

How does Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers work?

Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers utilizes a multimedia approach for solving crime. This approach is designed to gather information concerning unsolved crimes through the cooperation of local media. Each week, details concerning a fugitive or unsolved crime are publicized on local television, newspaper, radio and on the web. This is known as the “Crime of the Week” and may result in a Cash Reward to the individual who supplies the information needed to solve the crime.

What type of organization is Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers?

Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers is a non-profit, tax exempt corporation which was founded in 1986 through the efforts of Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, Pennsylvania State Police and citizens of the state.

Why is Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers different?

The two main reasons individuals do not give information are:

They are afraid of retaliation
They don’t want to get involved.

Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers works around these problems by providing a toll-free number which allows callers to remain completely anonymous, Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers also adds the incentive of a cash reward whenever the information given leads to an arrest.


Telephone Hotline


After the media provides the details of the “Crime of the Week”, they also provide a toll-free telephone number for anyone with information to call. When an individual has information concerning the featured crime or other unsolved crimes, they simply have to pick up the phone and call the PA Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-4PA-TIPS. The caller is assigned a special code number with no names given. Instructions and a phone number are given to the tipster to contact at a later date. The tipster will be advised if the information they provided qualifies for a reward.

How is the program administered?

Crime Stoppers is administered by a civilian Board of Directors who volunteers their time. The board, with input from all involved law enforcement agencies and the Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers Coordinator, determine the amount of the rewards and eligibility.

How is the program funded?

Contributions are being solicited from service organizations, social clubs, business men and women, corporations and interested citizens, as well as fund raising events.

Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization under Section 501(C) (3) of the IRA Code, all contributions are tax deductible. Mail contributions to:

Pa Crime Stoppers, Inc.
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110

All Donations are Tax Deductible – Tax ID # 22-2694833