Red Oak
Scholastic Crime Stoppers They don't lurk in the dark with magnifying glasses, but despite their nonchalant appearances, they are some of the best eyes in the business. Found walking down the halls around the world, they are students, and most don't even know their potential as sleuths.

For the past 13 years, the Scholastic Crime Stoppers Program has taken them into incredible investigations capable of changing their institutions into a safer, more enjoyable place to live and learn.

Started in 1983 by Officer Larry Wieda, the Scholastic Crime Stopper Programs first proved its success with Fairview High School in Boulder Colorado. Since then, Officer Wieda has had over 800 requests for information from educational institutions all over the U.S., Guam, Canada and England.

How it Works

This internationally recognized program allows students to provide anonymous tips to an 800 number, maintained by Montgomery County Crime Stoppers. The students receive a monetary reward from $5 to $100 for the arrest and conviction of individual(s) who have or may be planning to commit a crime.  Nationally, only about 6% of the students ever collect rewards issued to them, while outside crime prevention programs report that 25% to 50% of people issued rewards collect them. These statistics reveal that the motivating factor for students is rarely money. This Scholastic Crime Stopper Program promotes school spirit, pride and responsibility and allows students to take action against victimization and crime.

This popular program is mostly found in high schools though elementary, junior high and university age students are now becoming increasingly familiar with the concept. The success of the program often depends directly upon the support of the school administration. The more encouragement and power the administration gives the students, the more successful the program is likely to be.

The program is student operated. A board of directors composed of students is appointed to market and advertise the program, review information about crimes and determine reward amounts. The members of the board never know who the victims, witnesses or suspects are. These identities are protected by an administrative liaison that is affiliated with the program.

Each school is encouraged to tailor the program to its specific needs. Logos, mottoes, flyers, by-laws and other aspects of the program may be structured to fit each institution.

The students are challenged to be creative in developing the program. Some schools have implemented Crime Stopper hot lines, billboards, contest, video reenactments, designated Crime Stopper days and parades to disseminate their message that crime will no longer be tolerated. The only limits to the success of the program are those placed on it by these newly initiated, amateur detectives: the students and the administrators.

In Red Oak, the plan of Scholastic Crime Stoppers began with an idea in 2001.  The public safety communities and the education communities recognized this program as a tool to assist in combating violence and drug situations in the Red Oak Community School District.  Although still in its infancy, the program is expected to flourish and provide a new resource for students to use to ensure a safe and healthy educational atmosphere they deserve and to boost school pride.

Initially, we propose the establishment of an eight (8) member board, made up of students.  This will provide representation of two (2) students to represent each class.  At the middle school, the board will be comprised of a six (6) member board.The board will also have an administrative advisor, who may be a school administrator, parent or a public safety administrator.  The student board will review tips as they come in and make a recommendation for a monetary reward amount, to the Montgomery County Crime Stoppers.  The board will also be in charge of establishing by-laws, logos, distribution of flyers/posters, promotions, etc. to bring organization, awareness and support to the program.

If you have any questions, input, wish to make a donation toward the cash reward fund, please drop me an email and I will respond to your information.  If you have information concerning a crime you may also email me through this page or you may call:

1-800-432-1001

ALL INFORMATION WILL BE KEPT IN STRICT CONFIDENCE

More and more people can tell you how well
CRIME STOPPERS works....
If you have information about
an unsolved crime,
phone 1-800-432-1001
you do not need to identify yourself and
you will be eligible for a reward, if
the crime tip leads to the arrest and
conviction of the offender(s).

YOU may have information that would prevent another
student from being injured.  Or YOU may help another student
from putting their future in jeopardy if they would
commit an act of violence or drug use.
What if YOU could make a difference?
YOU CAN!

Red Oak Scholastic Crime Stoppers is affiliated and endorsed by
THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY