This news item expired on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
Be a crimestopper in your neighborhood - report suspicious activity or other information simply by calling 255-5050. Crimestoppers collects information through telephone tips, email tips (tips@abcrimestoppers.org) or postal mail. The crimestopper line is staffed 24/7 and tips are entered into the tip database immediately. It is not uncommon for investigators to monitor the tip database in real time for serious crimes such as homicides.
Crimestoppers allows tipsters to remain anonymous allowing for an increased willingness on the part of the citizen. Rewards of up to several thousand dollars are available depending on the seriousness of the offense and the value of the information given.
Access to the database is shared by members of the Asheville Policy Department Criminal Investigations Division and the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division.
It does make a difference...
Last year Crimestoppers received a tip about prescription drug fraud being perpetrated by a local group of people. Members of the group were forging prescriptions from a stolen prescription pad and obtaining large amounts of opioid pain relievers. They would resell the pills in the community. With the use of a crimestoppers tip, investigators were able to identify nine people involved in the fraud scheme and bring a total of twenty felony charges against those involved.
This is just one of 92 felony charges; 55 misdemeanor charges and 36 other arrests made last year as a result of tips. Awards totaling $5,825 were given for crimestopper tips. To report a crime or suspicious activity:
Crimestoppers
202 Haywood Street
Asheville, NC 28801