Crime Stoppers Tip Reward Jumps To $3,500 As NYC Violence Surges

NEW YORK CITY — A reward for anonymous police tips is going up as crime surges in New York City.

NYPD Crime Stoppers will offer a $3,500 maximum reward, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday.

"$3,500 is real money, to say the least," he said. "For so many New York City families, that would make a big difference."

The tip reward hasn't been increased since 2015, when its maximum amount was set at $2,500, said Rodney Harrison, NYPD's chief of department.

Police received more than 1,000 tips in 2020, which led to 66 arrests, Harrison said. He said the tips helped close a variety of cases, including the rape of a 92-year-old woman in Queens.

"It's a vital program, it really is," he said. "And it helps our investigators get leads into some of their cases, which helps solve cases, which helps bring people to justice, which helps make New York City be safe."

But tip lines have been quieter so far this year.

Less than 500 people have made Crime Stoppers tips during the first six months this year, de Blasio said.

He hoped the new reward amount will help encourage New Yorkers to reach out amid the current surge in crime.

New Yorkers with information on a crime can call NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). They also make tips by the CrimeStoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or on Twitter @NYPDTips.