Crime Stoppers History:

The idea began in 1976 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A young man was working at a filling station one night when two robbers came in and murdered the attendant during the robbery. After six weeks of investigations the police had made little headway and turned to the media for assistance.

With help from the local media police received the information they needed and within a short period of time the two killers were arrested for the murder.

Soon after that the Albuquerque Police Department started the first “Crime Stoppers” program in the nation. Within a short time the Phoenix Police Department started their own program and called it "Phoenix Silent Witness." Today there are over 1,100 Crime Stoppers/Silent Witness programs around the world thanks to Albuquerque New Mexico Police Department.

Yavapai Silent Witness History:

Created in 1981 by the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO), just five years after the Albuquerque program, Yavapai Silent Witness (YSW) has come to play a very important role in fighting crime and criminal apprehension in Yavapai County. The names are different, but the concept is exactly the same.

The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office managed the program for the first 3 years and then in 1984 turned it over to the Prescott Police Department where it remained for the next 24 years. In February 2008 Yavapai County Sheriff, Steve Waugh, asked for the program back stating that the program would better serve the residnets of Yavapai County if the program was managed at the YCSO. Today employees of the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office  answer the toll free (1-800) phone line 24 hours a day and a full time YCSO employee acts as the Program Director. The program relies on the public calling with information concerning criminal activity. The media assist by advertising unsolved crimes and wanted felons and the law enforcement agencies in Yavapai County investigate the calls. The program is a success due to these three (3) entities.

"Catch 22":

In June of 1997, Yavapai Silent Witness adopted a new program and called it "Catch 22". The purpose of "Catch 22" is to get more fugitives introduced to the public so our citizens can be on the look-out. That's where the media gets involved. Local radio stations, newspapers and television each advertise the same wanted felon each day for twenty-two consecutive days. Each of the twenty-two felons are worth a $500.00 cash reward if apprehended due to a call to Yavapai Silent Witness. In order to receive the reward the caller must call 1-800-932-3232 when reporting.

The new idea was such a success the Yavapai Silent Witness Board of Directors decided to offer two phases of "Catch 22" each year. The first phase is  in May and the second phase is always in December. The twenty-two felons are porvided by the different law enforcement agencies throughout Yavapai County. The Warrant Division at the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office confirms the warrants and extradition through the Yavapai County Attorney's Office.

The fugitives offered in "Catch 22" may be seen more then just one time depending on the severity of their crime. The very high profile felons will be seen phases after phase until apprehended. The fugitives can be seen on CableOne Advertising, in the Daily Prescott Courier and on radio stations KKLD, KYCA, KVRD, KZAM and KPPV.

To date there have been 61 felons arrested due to "Catch 22" and Yavapai Silent Witness has paid $30,500.00 to the successful callers.

Watch for the next "Catch 22". Remember that your call could be worth $500 and you never have to give your name.

Public Speaking:

If you would like someone from the program to speak to your group just call 777-7266 Monday through Thursday.

Remember:

Remember, that you never have to give your name and if your information leads to an arrest you will always be offered a cash reward. Callers must call Yavapai Silent Witness at 1-800-932-3232 to report their information before they can receive a reward.