Crime Stoppers

Heartland Crime Stoppers is a community-based program designed to help law enforcement solve crime with a system allowing the public to send in tips anonymously and receive cash rewards for information that leads to an arrest or indictment. It is an anonymous hotline to report crime-related information in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties. Tipsters remain anonymous and are eligible for rewards of up to $3,000.

It's simple. Callers are urged to call 1-800-226-TIPS (8477) with information on any crime, or a wanted suspect. Heartland Crime Stoppers cases are featured on television, radio, and in newspapers. Callers are issued code numbers and remain anonymous - guaranteed.

It is operated by an independent citizen-directed Board of Directors. They are civic-minded leaders in their communities who are dedicated to helping law enforcement solve crime in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties.

All of them within the three counties. The program coordinator works for the Sheriff's Office. All of the local police departments exchange information regarding Heartland Crime Stoppers cases and tips received. Other state and federal law enforcement agencies also support and are aided by the program.

Any person who directly contacts Heartland Crime Stoppers and gives information that leads to the arrest or indictment of an adult or juvenile, or leads to the arrest of a wanted suspect, will be eligible for a reward. Persons not eligible for a reward are any commissioned law enforcement officer and members of his or her immediate family; the perpetrator or co-perpetrator of the crime; the victim of the crime; or the fugitive from justice.

Heartland Crime Stoppers is solely funded through donations and receives zero direct tax dollars. Citizens and local businesses contribute to this program's success.

Absolutely. Check out these numbers:

In Florida alone, since the Heartland Crime Stoppers inception in the mid 1980's:
14,051 arrests have been made; 31,682 cases have been closed; $64,218,325 in stolen property has been recovered; and $379,851,333 worth of narcotics have been seized.

All of this was accomplished by an average reward payment-per-case solved of $54.89. Nationally, since 1976 when the program was started in Albuquerque, New Mexico, over 425,000 major crimes have been solved; over 75,000 criminals have been put behind bars; and $2.9 billion of stolen property and narcotics have been recovered.