County to Publicize Crime Stoppers Program

Have you heard of Crime Stoppers? By the end of October, you will.

Both the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office and Crime Stoppers of Middlesex County are embarking on a publicity campaign to raise public awareness of the organization devoted to gather tips and solving crimes.

The campaign, said Prosecutor Bruce J. Kaplan in a statement, will underscore the success of the program and encourage county residents to take an active role in helping police to keep their communities safe.

Crime Stoppers started in Middlesex County almost 18 months ago. Since then, police have acted on more than 150 tips that have led to the arrests of individuals charged with serious crimes.

Callers can offer tips anonymously and collect cash - as much as $1,000 - for reporting crimes.

Arrangements for cash payments are made for those who call 1-800-939-9600, or contact the Crime Stoppers of Middlesex County website at middlesextips.com. Text messages may be sent to 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword ‘’midtip’’ followed by a message.

Tipsters are given instructions on how to collect a reward by using a numerical code given to a local bank.

The publicity campaign, which runs from October 26 to October 28, includes posters displayed in Raceway Gas Stations and Wawa stores in the county, and the handing out of Crime Stoppers cards at the gas pumps.

In addition, shuttle buses in the Middlesex County Area Wide Transportation system will be covered with Crime Stoppers information for the next six months. Crime Stoppers of Middlesex County bumper stickers will be placed on all 623 police vehicles in the county.

Message boards also will be positioned at the high traffic areas around Rutgers University’s High Point Solutions Stadium to advertise Crime Stoppers of Middlesex County when the Scarlet Knights football team plays Kent State on October 27, 2012.

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