‘Trust Pays’: Cash for student crime tips

Students who have information on weapons, drugs or planned violence can participate in the “Trust Pays” program anonymously. The program — which is an operation of CrimeStoppers of Memphis and Shelby County Inc. within participating area schools — rewards teens with cash for valid crime tips.

Here’s how it works:

• The student can go to any school faculty/staff member or security professional he or she trusts.
• This trusted individual keeps the student’s identity confidential but immediately relays the information to the school principal, who considers the information and takes action.
• If the information proves to be valid, the principal will contact CrimeStoppers, which will pay the student in a secure and confidential process. The amount varies, but can be about $200.

The program’s website also describes alternative anonymous processes for submitting tips, such as via notes to the principal’s office or via phone calls to the 24/7 tip hotline, 528-CASH (901-528-2274).

CrimeStoppers is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, nonpartisan, nonsectarian, citizen-run organization.

Successful crime-fighting statistics

Since its inception in 2006, Trust Pays has generated nearly 900 anonymous student tips. Trust Pays statistics are as follows by school year (note: not all reported crimes are at school):

• 2006-2007 (Dec.-May only): 24 guns, 15 knives, two razors, two tasers, two pepper sprays, one arson and 65 drugs.
• 2007-2008: 22 guns, 15 knives, two razors, one shank, two thefts, two auto thefts, two fire alarms, three gang fights and 77 drugs.
• 2008-2009: 21 guns, 21 knives, three razors, four thefts, three gang fights, six acts of school vandalism and 84 drugs.
• 2009-2010: 21 guns, 21 knives, (two box cutters), three tasers, three razors, 14 thefts, three fire alarms (with one fire), one aggravated assault (drive-by shooting), four acts of vandalism and 120 drugs.
• 2010-2011: 12 guns, 22 knives (two razors), one box cutter, five thefts, 118 drugs, one identification of a sexual predator, one chop shop location, identification of a drive-by shooter and one gang fight.
• 2011-2012: 16 guns, 35 knives, two razors, four box cutters, 79 drugs, two shootings (off campus), three thefts, two arsons, one assault, one planned assault on a teacher and one case of a sexual relationship with a teacher.
• 2012-2013 (through December): Five guns, 15 knives, one razor, two box cutters, 38 drugs, one theft, one arson and two explosive devices.