Crime Stoppers calls up, rewards down

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Updated: March 24, 2012 2:01AM

Calls to Lake County Crime Stoppers were up last year, but arrests and rewards were down slightly, the group said Monday.

In its year-end report, the crime fighting group said in 2011 the number of calls to (847) 662-2222 increased to 993, compared to 2010’s number of 959. The number of calls deemed bona fide (356) was also up from the previous year (326), but the number of cases closed were 446, a small drop from 460 in 2010.

Arrests totaled 177 and cash rewards given to citizens were $28,650, compared with 185 arrests and $30,425 rewards given in 2010. Property recovered through the anonymous tip service was $568,797 in 2011, down from 2010 at $916,607.

“If you look over the years, you will see the numbers go up and down in various categories,” said Andy Anderson, Lake County Crime Stoppers executive director. One drug bust or arrest of a burglary ring can raise the numbers for that year, he said.

In 2011, drug seizures totaled $714,908, down from $1.7 million in 2010, and guns seized were 51 compared with 61 in 2010.

Since its creation in 1983, area police have recovered more than $27 million in contraband and stolen property while paying out a total of $888,623 in cash rewards.

Anderson said that the popular gun buy-back program that has been run six times over the years and removed a total of 1,808 weapons in exchange for gift cards could also return this year. The last time county authorities held one was 2008.

“It could possibly come back this year and if it did, it would be in December, but a lot depends on funding,” he said.

The first year of the program, 2001, Crime Stoppers received 408 weapons, followed the next year by 478. Since then the numbers fell and averaged just over 200, with 243 received in the final year of 2008.

By legislative proclamation, January is Lake County Crime Stoppers Month. Gurnee, Hainesville, Mundelein and Grayslake have all passed proclamations in support of the group this month.

Tipsters do not have to leave a name to possibly receive a cash reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers wants your information, not your name.