Nashville Crime Stoppers Now Accepting Text & Internet Tips
Chief Ronal Serpas and the Board of Directors of Nashville Crime Stoppers today announced two new ways for citizens to anonymously report information concerning wanted persons and criminal activity.
Effective immediately, persons can reach Crime Stoppers by texting the word CASH along with their message to CRIMES (274637). An automated system will immediately reply to the sender with a unique Tip ID, which can be used to report additional information or inquire about a reward, which, in the discretion of the Crime Stoppers Board, can total up to $1,000.
“I am very excited about this new capability because it makes the police department and Crime Stoppers more accessible to a younger generation of citizens who have made cell phone texting part of their daily routines,” Chief Serpas said. “Texting is fast, immediate, and an easy way to provide the police department with vital information on a criminal case or even about a gun in a school.”
Persons with crime or criminal suspect information can now also report it anonymously through Nashville Crime Stoppers’ new Internet site, www.nashvillecrimestoppers.com. The web site is maintained by the Crime Stoppers Board and is not hosted by the Metropolitan Government. Anonymity of a tipster is guaranteed through the texting and Internet reporting methods, just as it has been for the past 26 years through the special 74-CRIME telephone line. Callers are still welcome to dial 74-CRIME, which is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Spanish speaking operators are also available.
“The Crime Stoppers Board strongly believes that our new texting and Internet services will make Nashville even safer by empowering the police department with critical information on the identities of dangerous felons and serious crimes,” said Mike Overcast, Nashville Crime Stoppers President and Director of Security Operations for SunTrust Bank.
“Crime Stoppers has been an important asset to our community for more than a quarter century,” Overcast said. “Tips to our phone line have resulted in the clearance of 7,656 cases and the payout of $481,025 in reward money. This program works and will now be even more effective.”
Chief Serpas expressed his sincere gratitude to the volunteers who serve on the Crime Stoppers Board of Directors. They include, in addition to Mike Overcast:
- Terry Akin, Fifth Third Bank
- Dwayne Duhon, Business Risk Services
- Mark Bellinger, NewsChannel 5
- Cindy Chappell, Attorney (Dodson, Parker, Behm & Capparella)
- Gary Heflin, Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Beth Williams, Walden Security
- William Coleman, Coleman Property Management
- Chuck Mataya, Attorney (Bradley, Arant, Boult & Cummings)
- Steve Berk, Tennessee Titans
- Bridget Dobbins, Professional Accounting Service
- Ian Bentley, Pilot Travel Centers
- Susan Niland, Attorney (District Attorney’s Office)
- Joseph Duke, Technology Business Partners
- Andrew Williams, Tennessee Regional Safety Council
Detective Jim Lambert of the Specialized Investigations Division is the police department’s Crime Stoppers Coordinator. In addition to processing tips and forwarding them to the appropriate police department components, Lambert organizes Crime of the Week reenactments for NewsChannel 5.
Chief Ronal Serpas said the enhancements to Crime Stoppers will make the police department even more accessible to a younger generation of citizens who have made texting part of their daily routines.
Detective Jim Lambert, the police department's Crime Stoppers Coordinator, said anonymity is guaranteed when leaving an electronic tip, which also qualifies the sender for a cash reward of up to $1,000.