Rockford Area Crime Stoppers
Helping solve crimes in Winnebago County,
Illinois, one anonymous tip at a time.

How Crime Stoppers works: FAQs and answers.

We aim to answer your most common questions about our organization and how you can anonymously help solve crimes in the Rockford area. Your tips are crucial in making our community safer, and we want to ensure you have all the information you need to feel confident in submitting a tip. Browse the questions below to learn more about our tip submission process, how rewards work, and our commitment to your anonymity. By working together, we can make our community a safer place for everyone.

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Rockford Area Crime Stoppers is a local initiative that empowers the public to safely and anonymously report crime. Since 1981, we've partnered with the community, law enforcement, and media to reduce crime in Winnebago County.

We accept tips related to various criminal activities, including:

  • Information about ongoing or unsolved crimes
  • Tips about drug activity
  • Suspects in wanted cases or fugitives on the run
  • Stolen property or weapons
  • Suspicious or unusual behavior indicating criminal activity
  • Any information that could help solve or prevent a crime

Please note: Crime Stoppers is not for emergencies. If you are witnessing an emergency, please call 911 immediately.

You can submit a tip anonymously in three ways:

  • Online: Use our secure anonymous tip submission platform at www.rockfordcrimestoppers.com.
  • By Phone: Call our 24/7 anonymous hotline at (815) 963-7867. Your call will remain confidential, and no caller ID is used.
  • Using our App

No. Your anonymity is guaranteed. We do not ask for or collect personal information.

Once you submit a tip by phone, your information is forwarded to the relevant law enforcement agency for investigation. You will be given a unique code number — be sure to keep this number safe, as you'll need it to follow up on the status of your tip. When you follow up, call Crime Stoppers at (815) 963-7867 and provide your unique code number. We cannot contact you, as we never ask for your phone number.

After submitting your tip online at www.rockfordcrimestoppers.com, You'll receive a Tip ID and password. Visit www.P3tips.com and use your Tip ID and password to:

  • Check status
  • Add info or photos
  • Send messages

To check the status of your tip:

You may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Rewards are distributed securely and anonymously. To claim:

When you submit a tip to Rockford Area Crime Stoppers, law enforcement must:

  • Verify the information: Police ensure the details are accurate.
  • Gather supporting evidence: Additional intelligence or evidence may be needed to build a strong case.
  • Investigate: Crime investigations take time, and law enforcement cannot act solely on anonymous tips. They may need more information or further developments.

Even if no immediate action is visible, your tip may:

  • Be part of a larger investigation
  • Be kept on file for future cases
  • Require more details before action

Your tip is valuable, and even if immediate results aren't seen, it contributes to solving crimes and making the community safer.

Yes! Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards of up to $1,000 for tips that help solve crimes, identify suspects, recover stolen property, or apprehend fugitives. Rewards are paid anonymously.

Students can report school-related crime anonymously through:

  • Counselors
  • School officers
  • Or Crime Stoppers directly

If the tip results in disciplinary action or arrest, the student may receive $50 or more. Note: Call 911 for emergencies. Important: In the event of an emergency, students should call 911 immediately for immediate assistance. The Quick 50 program is intended for non-emergency tips regarding criminal activity, not urgent situations.

Crime Stoppers is funded entirely by donations — no tax dollars are used. The generous support of the community makes our operations and rewards possible.

We serve Rockford and all communities within Winnebago County, Illinois.

Yes. We do not collect your name or phone number. Caller ID is not used.

To support Crime Stoppers and help fund our operations and rewards, you can donate in several ways:

  • Online: Donate via our website.
  • Mail: Send a check to:
    Rockford Area Crime Stoppers
    Administrative Office
    P.O. Box 4535
    Rockford, IL 61110
  • Contact Us: Call (815) 963-7867 for more donation details.

For more information, visit www.rockfordcrimestoppers.com or call (815) 963-7867.

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