History
The Story of Crime Stoppers
In July 1976, a young college student named Michael Carmen was tragically shot during a robbery at a gas station in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Despite the severity of the crime, no witnesses came forward, and the case quickly grew cold.
Detective Greg MacAleese of the Albuquerque Police Department knew traditional methods weren’t enough. Drawing on his background in journalism, he introduced a bold new idea:
- A televised reenactment of the crime
- A guarantee of anonymity for anyone who called with information
- A cash reward to motivate tips
Within hours of the broadcast, a caller provided a critical lead. Within 72 hours, two suspects were arrested—not only for Carmen’s murder, but for multiple armed robberies.
What followed changed policing forever.
MacAleese’s approach proved that:
- People often do have information
- Fear of retaliation prevents them from speaking up
- Anonymity + incentive = action
This model became the foundation of the first Crime Stoppers program, launched later that year in Albuquerque.
Today, Crime Stoppers programs operate in thousands of communities worldwide and have helped solve countless crimes—while keeping tipsters safe and anonymous.
Five Valleys Crime Stoppers
Our Story: From a National Movement to Local Impact
Today, Crime Stoppers programs operate around the world, built on a simple but powerful idea:
People want to help—but they need a safe way to do it.
Five Valleys Crime Stoppers serves Missoula, Ravalli, Mineral, and Lake Counties, providing a safe and anonymous way for community members to share information about crime.
Our program follows the same trusted model established in 1976, with a local focus on:
- Supporting law enforcement investigations
- Encouraging community involvement
- Reducing crime through anonymous tips
By removing fear and offering incentives, we help ensure that critical information reaches the right people—without putting tipsters at risk.
Every tip matters. Every call can make a difference.
Five Valleys Crime Stoppers was established in 1981 right here in Missoula, Montana, through a partnership between local law enforcement, the Missoula Chamber of Commerce, and committed community volunteers.
What started as a local initiative has grown to serve multiple counties:
Our Growth
- 1980 – Local leaders trained in Albuquerque to bring Crime Stoppers to Missoula
- 1981 – Five Valleys Crime Stoppers officially established
- 2000 – Ravalli County joined
- 2005 – Mineral County joined
- 2023 – Lake County joined
Today, we proudly serve Missoula, Ravalli, Mineral, and Lake Counties.
