Crime Stoppers gives annual update to Caldwell council at Sept. 15 workshop

At a 5:30 p.m. workshop Monday, Sept. 15, Crime Stoppers of Idaho representatives updated the Caldwell City Council on the program’s activity, contracts and community outreach, including its annual shred day.

Crime Stoppers volunteer Casey Mason opened the presentation and was followed by Bree Mason, identified in the meeting as president of Crime Stoppers. Casey described the organization as “We are a 5 0 1 3 c and we are a completely ran volunteer board,” and outlined the program’s anonymous tip channels and reward policy. Bree said the program had “shredded about, 5,000 this last year.”

The group said tips can be submitted via its website (www.343cops.com), a 24/7 tip line and a mobile web app. Crime Stoppers told the council it will pay rewards of up to $1,000 when a tip leads to a felony arrest, and that reward payouts are funded by sponsorships and donations.

Crime Stoppers described its budget and contract model. The organization reported an annual budget of $80,000, charging participating jurisdictions roughly 11¢ per resident; the presentation listed Caldwell’s contract cost this year as $8,076. Crime Stoppers said those funds support tip software, the call center, website, marketing, trailer equipment, administrative support and attendance at its annual conference.

The presenters listed municipal and county partners that currently contract with Crime Stoppers of Idaho, naming Boise, Nampa, Kuna, Middleton, Garden City, Ada County, Canyon County and Star in addition to Caldwell. They also highlighted recent operational statistics: 11 arrests in the prior year and “a little over 1,100 total tips” during that period; year-to-date the group reported 12 arrests; since the program’s local inception the presenters said Crime Stoppers has logged more than 19,000 tips, 670 arrests and $85,000 paid in rewards. Between 2024 and year-to-date, the presentation said, 22 rewards totaling about $8,000 were approved.

Council members and the mayor responded with appreciation for Crime Stoppers’ community events. One councilor said the shred day is “a huge success” and asked when the next event would be; Crime Stoppers said the event drew 88 cars and more than 5,000 pounds of material the past year. The mayor and other council members thanked the presenters and affirmed the city budgeted the program amount again for the coming year.

No formal action or vote was taken during the workshop; the presentation was informational and the council did not make new directives recorded on the transcript. The workshop closed and the council reconvened for its regular meeting at 6:00 p.m.