Bucco bill expands CrimeStopper programs to help fund tips in schools to protect our students

Published on May 31, 2018

TRENTON, N.J. “ Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco has introduced legislation to help expand Crime Stopper programs with additional state funding. Crimestoppers seal

Crime Stoppers is a non-profit group that encourages the public to contact police with anonymous tips about possible crimes without fear of retribution. Programs are funded through private donations and fundraising.

Crime Stopper programs are very successful in preventing crimes statewide, said Bucco (R-Morris). My hope is to help expand the program into our schools to elicit tips from students and the public before an incident occurs. A $1 surcharge for petty offenses to help fund these additional programs is more than a bargain especially when it involves the safety of our students.

Bucco's bill (A3944) imposes a $1 surcharge on people convicted of traffic violations and disorderly person offenses. The money will be deposited into a criminal investigatory tips fund in the Treasury department and disbursed by county prosecutors to eligible Crime Stopper organizations.

Assemblyman Bucco presents the citation to Sheriff Gannon, an officer, and a K-9 dog Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco awards K9 Sigmund with a citation for capturing suspects in a Roxbury burglary.

These programs take ˜If you see something, say something' even further, said John Sette, Morris County Sheriff's CrimeStoppers chairman. We guarantee a caller's anonymity while offering cash rewards for information leading to indictments or arrests. Encouraging reluctant callers to provide information is invaluable, particularly if it can prevent another school shooting.

We've had great success with Crime Stoppers in Morris County for the past 32 years, said Morris County Sheriff James Gannon. Engaging the public in our efforts is priceless, especially when it saves lives. Assemblyman Bucco's legislation is a reasonable way to raise funds to help us expand the program to better protect students and staff.

Crime Stoppers has resulted in 716,661 arrests; $106,449,902 in rewards paid; more than $2.8 billion in drugs seized, and nearly $1.2 billion in property recovered statewide as of May 30, 2018.