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Crime Stoppers

Crime Stoppers is a program that reenacts crimes and encourages citizens to call in with tips about the case, ensuring their anonymity. The idea was developed in 1975 after the murder of a young man in Alberquerque, New Mexico went unsolved. Detective Greg MacAleese had the idea to go to a local television station and encourage them to reenact the crime for viewers, and he offered a reward to anyone who assisted in an arrest. A caller recognized the situation and offered information, but preferred to remain anonymous. This showed authorities the importance of community involvement in solving crimes, and regional divisions of Crime Stoppers now operate all over the United States, having lead to many successful arrests. Since its inception in 1976, Crime Stoppers in the United States has been responsible for more than half a million arrests and more than $4 billion in recovered property.