City of Palm Bay News Release

"Chips for tips" promotes crime fighting efforts

Posted: 10/12/07

Hoping to promote more citizen involvement in the crime fighting effort, the Palm Bay Police Department and Central Florida CRIMELINE are joining forces in a unique method to solicit crime information.  “Chips for Tips” is the brainchild of Investigations Secretary Debbie O’Keefe who developed a series of slogans and designs that are now placed on 2,000 Las Vegas style poker chips advertising CRIMELINE’S tip number and website.  Detectives and patrol officers will distribute the poker chips at local bars, restaurants, pawn shops, barbershops, banks, stores and other businesses with high customer traffic. “The poker chips are a unique method of reaching out to a specific part of our population,” said Chief Bill Berger.  “Hopefully it will keep the CRIMELINE program on the minds of people that have the critical information we need to solve a case, but perhaps don’t want to have direct contact with police.”         

Two years ago the Palm Bay Police Department received less than 25 tips through CRIMELINE.  This year, the Department expects to break the 200 mark.  The successful capture of an armed robbery suspect involved on September 28, 2007 was the direct result of a CRIMELINE tip.  “That was a case where we had no valid leads, and lousy surveillance video,” said Major John Blackledge of the Criminal Investigations Division.  “The CRIMELINE tip was the key to solving the case and taking a dangerous individual off the streets.”         

Central Florida CRIMELINE is one of the oldest and most successful programs in the United States.  The grant funded program serves all of Central Florida.  Tipsters can call or email information on any crime, remain totally anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.  CRIMEILNE is prohibited from using Caller ID, recorders or any other information that will identify the tipster.  Through the grant and other fundraising, CRIMELINE collects and distributes the reward by using secret numbers and local banks.  It also provides the metal road signs posted throughout communities.  The Palm Bay Police Department is looking for program sponsors to provide funding to expand the “Chips for Tips” program.  Current funding was provided through the Law Enforcement Trust Fund which is money seized from criminals.

^Top