Four people have earned $10K reward for homicide tips, none has claimed it

A year ago, in April 2018, we partnered with the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission, its Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline and the City of Kansas City, Missouri, to increase the possible reward for valid tips in homicide cases to $10,000. In November 2017, we’d increased it to $5,000. Before that, it was $2,000.

The hope was the increased reward amount would make more people come forward with anonymous information that would solve homicides that take place in Kansas City, Mo., and bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice. Indeed, homicide tips, specifically, have gone up a bit, according to Crime Stoppers Coordinator Detective Kevin Boehm. The percentage of those that are valid remains about the same, however.

Overall, tips from across the metro area to Crime Stoppers have increased by about 10 percent over the past two years. The actual number of phone calls is going down, but tips submitted online and through the P3 Tips app have gone up.

Since increasing the possible reward for KCMO homicide information to $10,000 a year ago, four individuals have submitted tips that qualify for the full reward. But a funny thing has happened: none of them has claimed the money. Maybe doing the right thing was more important. I certainly respect that, and it’s not that unusual. In the 300 Crime Stopper programs nationwide, about 60 to 70 percent of all tip pay-outs are never collected.

For some people, however, money is a great motivator. I just wanted to ensure that everyone knows how anonymous the process is for submitting and collecting on successful tips. Here’s how it works:

A tipster calls 816-474-8477 (TIPS), uses the free P3 Tips mobile app or the www.KCCrimeStoppers.com website to submit a tip. Crime Stoppers staff members take a tip report with the tipster referred to as “the caller” or “tipster.” It’s gender- neutral, ensuring anonymity. Once the tipster has provided the tip, they are issued a code number. They can use that code to check on the status of their tip or add additional information. Crime Stoppers sends the information to the applicable investigative element or agency. (They serve the entire Kansas City metro area, not just KCPD.)

If a tip leads to an arrest, the agency or element will contact the Hotline and inform them of the results of the arrest. That information is entered into a database, and Crime Stoppers staff recommend a reward amount. They take those recommendations to the monthly Crime Stoppers Board meeting, where the 40-plus member board votes and approves the reward amounts on each valid case.

Because it’s anonymous, Crime Stoppers can’t call a tipster and let them know a reward has been approved. The tipster must call back with their code number to check on the status of their tip. If they have the proper code and can verify the information they already gave, they are given a pay-out date, location and an additional code word. Pay-outs take place at locations throughout the metro area. Neither Crime Stoppers staff nor law enforcement ever sees the tipster.

I want to keep the $10,000 reward in the public eye for the hundreds of grieving family members who are waiting for justice in the murder of their loved one. I also want to assure anyone who may have the information we need to solve a case that they can provide that information completely anonymously and earn a handsome pay-out while doing the right thing.

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Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline is vital for a safer Kansas City

September is national Crime Stoppers Month, so I think this is a great time to recognize the immense assistance the Crime Stoppers program provides in solving crime in Kansas City. This also is a special year for the Kansas City Crime Stoppers program, which will celebrate their 30th anniversary in October.

Since their inception in 1982, the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline has generated more than 10,180 felony arrests, including the clearance of 598 homicides, 1,581 robberies, and 2,890 fugitive arrests. So far this year alone, Crime Stoppers has helped solve four homicides, 25 robberies and capture 104 fugitives. They have paid out $26,750 in rewards in 2012, and more than $1.2 million since the program started 30 years ago.

Our detectives rely on the tips that come from the TIPS Hotline. The Hotline’s dedication to anonymity is crucial. Through this medium, witnesses who have information that can solve felony crimes can report it directly to law enforcement without any fear of retaliation. The cash rewards are another incentive for reluctant witnesses to come forward.

Crime Stoppers was founded in 1976 and now has 1,000 programs worldwide, including 350 in the United States. According to Crime Stoppers USA Chairman K. Scott Abrams, “Crime Stoppers brings together businesses, citizens, law enforcement and the media to combat crime. It is important for the criminal element to know members of the community are watching and reporting their activities.”

While we appreciate the work of the TIPS Hotline every day, during this national Crime Stoppers Month, it’s important to point out how much work this organization does making Kansas City safer.

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Robbery detective named Crime Stoppers Officer of the Year

A lot has been going on around the Kansas City Police Department, but it was nice to pause today to see one of our detectives get recognized for his extraordinary investigative work. The Kansas City Crime Stoppers named Detective Christopher Toigo of KCPD’s Robbery Unit as the Officer of the Year at their 62nd annual luncheon today. This award is presented annually to an officer or detective in the metro area “who has exhibited outstanding career achievement in investigations.”

Detective Toigo was unaware he was getting the award until the luncheon today. Here’s what Crime Stoppers had to say about him and why he deserved the award:

"This year’s recipient began his career with the Kansas City Missouri Police Department in October 2001. According to his supervisor, this detective has gained the respect of his peers, received no discipline during his tenure and works well with a multitude of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies during the course of various investigations. He has also received more than 38 commendations during his career.

Representing a new generation of detective, this individual excels in the use of social media as an investigative tool to develop leads and suspects. He is also a skilled interrogator.

Examples of this detective’s prowess include the recent case of a career criminal whose history dates back to the 1980’s. The suspect had been incarcerated for robbery, kidnapping and armed criminal action until he escaped from prison by using the identity of his cellmate. Since the escape, the suspect had been featured twice on America’s Most Wanted and was actively being sought by the US Marshals, FBI and multiple state and local agencies. Coincidentally, this detective was assisting on a residential robbery case which also involved the kidnapping of a 20-year-old woman. Using social media, and within the first eight hours of the investigation, this detective identified and confirmed, with the assistance of a male victim, the identity of the first suspect. From this identification, the second suspect, our aforementioned career criminal, was identified. The continuing investigation led to the recovery of multiple weapons, ammunition, stolen property and evidence.

After conducting a thorough interrogation of the suspect, the detective got a full confession for robbery, rape and kidnapping. After several days of interrogation, the suspect, Rowdy Offield, confessed to nine business robberies in the metro area, more 100 robberies in Kansas City and provided information regarding robberies in 23 different states.

A further example of this detective’s exceptional work involves the 2011 robbery and homicide at Bledsoe Rentals located at 50th and Prospect. Knowing the area and frequency of Metro bus traffic, this detective contacted ATA and was able to locate, save and copy footage from cameras on the buses that showed the suspects entering the business before the homicide and leaving afterward. This detective was also able to determine the description and location of the get-away vehicle and immediately provided that information to the Homicide Unit. The vehicle was located with the murder weapon still in the trunk and two suspects were identified, taken into custody and subsequently charged with homicide.

Lastly, from late 2010 through early 2011 the Kansas City Metro area was victimized in a series of highly organized, take- over type grocery store robberies. A total of eight stores in six different jurisdictions were involved with losses totaling more than $100,000. This detective assumed the role as lead and coordinated resources including the Career Criminal Unit of the KCPD and the Violent Crime Squad of the FBI. Also involved were members of the Odessa, Raytown, and Independence, Missouri Police Departments. In addition, the identity of one of the suspects was developed by this detective after having received a TIP from the Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline. At the conclusion of the case, a full confession was gained by this detective, and three suspects were charged federally and now face up to life in prison for the crimes. Furthermore, multiple felony cases in 6 jurisdictions were cleared and four weapons including an SKS assault rifle were recovered.

These are but a few examples from an extensive resume that continues to grow. It is our honor to present the 2011 Crime Stoppers Officer of the Year award to Det. Christopher Toigo, Robbery Unit, Kansas City Missouri Police Department.



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It's Crime Stoppers Month in Kansas City

Last Thursday, the Kansas City Council declared September 2011 as Crime Stoppers Month in Kansas City. Crime Stoppers, which operates the TIPS Hotline and numerous other programs, is an incredibly valuable resource to our department. The language of the resolution spells out the amazing work they do here in KC:

RESOLUTION NO. 110675

Declaring September 2011, as Crime Stoppers month and supporting the mission of the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission and Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers (816) 474-8477 TIPS Hotline.

WHEREAS, the City of Kansas City, Missouri places a high priority on public safety; and

WHEREAS, the Crime Stoppers program serves the Greater Kansas City area through the cooperation of law enforcement, the community and the media by providing an ANONYMOUS way to submit information regarding felony crimes by phone at (816) 474-8477 (TIPS), on-line, www.KCCCrimestoppers.com, or via TEXT, at 274637 (CRIMES) by including “TIP452” and your information, and pays cash rewards of up to $1,000.00 for arrest; and

WHEREAS, over its 29-year existence the TIPS Hotline has established a proven record of success by assisting law enforcement in clearing over 23,300 cases to include 590 homicides, 1,560 robberies, 170 rapes, 5,600 narcotics cases, 2,735 fugitive arrests and taking over 117,250 TIPS; and

WHEREAS, during that same period the TIPS Hotline helped recover over $8,154,990.00 of property, $14,870,300.00 of narcotics, 1,663 firearms and paid out over $1,177,000.00 in cash rewards; and

WHEREAS, the program recently implemented a Gun Bounty program, with the support of the Kansas City, Missouri City Council, to help address the violent crime rate in the Kansas City Metropolitan area, and the operation of the Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline will continue to increase public safety by improving the quality of life, decreasing crime and assisting law enforcement in apprehending criminals and combat fear and apathy by offering an ANONYMOUS way to provide information and by paying cash rewards to citizens; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the Mayor and Council hereby declare September 2011, as Crime Stoppers month and support the mission of the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission and Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers (816) 474-8477 TIPS Hotline; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented to the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline Board of Directors with the congratulations of the Mayor, Council and citizens of Kansas City for making a difference to help reduce violent crime in Kansas City, Missouri.

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New Gun Bounty Program pays cash for tips leading to gun charges

PRESS RELEASE:

Beginning July 1, an innovative new program will pay a large amount of cash to tipsters who can help area police get illegal guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals.

The Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission, Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline, Kansas City Missouri Police Department, City of Kansas City, Missouri, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), US Attorney’s Office and Jackson County Prosecutor have formed a partnership to address gun crime in our community. These organizations will work in conjunction with local police chiefs and sheriffs on this important metro-wide initiative to address violent crime beginning July 1.

Thanks in large part to donations from the City of Kansas City, Missouri and businesses in our community, the Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline is introducing a Gun Bounty program which will pay $1,000 in cash to anonymous callers to the TIPS Hotline for reporting:

1. A tip that leads to the arrest of a suspect,
2. the recovery of a firearm and,
3. the filing of felony charges related to the recovery of the weapon.

This is not a gun buyback program. It is a public safety program designed to remove illegal firearms from the hands of criminals, especially gangs. The anonymous tip must originate through the TIPS Hotline, and area law enforcement will be responsible for confirming the eligibility for reward of tips received. Presently, a fund totaling approximately $32,500 is available for the program. Donations to the fund are welcome and can be sent to the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission – Gun Bounty Program.

The program has been very successful in Miami, and Kansas City is modeling its program after that one.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers Greater Kansas City TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). Tips also can be submitted electronically at KCcrimestoppers.com, or by texting TIP452 and your information to 274637 (CRIMES).

This map (click on it to see a larger version) shows guns recovered and offenses with guns in Kansas City in 2010. We hope the Gun Bounty program will reduce these dots significantly:

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Supporting Crimestoppers

Today was the 16th Annual Crime Stoppers Bill Grigsby Golf Classic to raise money for TIPS cash payouts. Did you know all the reward money offered by the TIPS Hotline is from donations and fund-raisers like these? Since its inception in 1982, Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers has assisted in 9,650 felony arrests, cleared more than 22,900 crimes, paid out more than $1.1 million in rewards and recovered more than $22.3 million worth of drugs and stolen property. None of this would have been possible without the help of generous community members like you.

Crime Stoppers is a worthwhile program that has helped KCPD and other area law enforcement agencies solve some of our toughest cases. Tips are taken and rewards are given completely anonymously. And the program has expanded beyond just the TIPS Hotline (816-474-TIPS). You can now send text message tips by texting "TIP452" plus your message to CRIMES (274637); or submit a tip online at http://www.kccrimestoppers.com/.

If you couldn't make it out to today's golf tournament but still want to support Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers, click here to learn how.

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Check out Kansas City's 20 most wanted

The Kansas City Crimestoppers have put together a list of 20 of their most wanted fugitives. If you know where to find these people, you could get a reward of up to $1,000. You can either call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477), send an anonymous e-mail message at www.kccrimestoppers.com or text TIP452 and your information to CRIMES (274637). Any way you do it, you remain anonymous. Crimestoppers has purchased special "scrubbing" software to ensure this.

And don't forget about Crimestoppers' monthly Most Wanted newspaper sold around the metro. It's got hundreds of photos of fugitives. Never try to approach these people yourself because they could be dangerous. Contacting TIPS will notify police officers to go find them. Working together, we can get these most wanted people behind bars.

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KC CrimeStoppers award breakfast

The Kansas City CrimeStoppers are integral to justice in this community and have helped police across the metro arrest thousands of criminals. They're a great partner to law enforcement, but they do other amazing things, too. Yesterday, their annual recognition breakfast honored the many businesses, agencies, and indivuals who support CrimeStoppers throughout the year.

Pictured with CrimeStoppers Board Member and Master of Ceremonies Lara Moritz are winners of CrimeStoppers' annual scholarship contest: Brianna Forbes of Lee's Summit West High School and Alex Burnett of Shawnee Mission West High School. Each won a $1,000 scholarship to the college of their choice and were selected because of their outstanding essays.

Also recognized were several Kansas City Missouri Police Department units who regularly assist CrimeStoppers: Homicide Unit, Robbery Unit, Street Narcotics Unit, Gang Squad, Illegal Firearms Unit, Property Crimes Division represented by Metro and Central Patrol Property Crimes personnel, Fugitive Apprehension Unit, Career Criminal Unit, Investigations Unit, Special Victims Unit, Vice Unit and the Perpetrator Information Center.