Our Mission Statement

To promote community welfare and lessen the burdens of the City of Quincy and nearby communities by assisting law enforcement in the apprehension and conviction of criminals through making funds available for use as rewards in connection therewith; by helping develop a community effort against crime; by motivating members of the public to cooperate with law enforcement agencies within and near to Adams County, Illinois; by providing for awards for such cooperation; to inform and educate the public by disseminating information as to criminal schemes and tactics so as to further protect the public from criminal activity; by soliciting donations to carry out the above-mentioned purposes.

How does the Quincy Regional Crime Stoppers program work?

Quincy Regional Crime Stoppers is a non-profit program involving three essential elements in the fight against crime. It is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of Adams County citizens. The Board decides on cash rewards and raises funds for the program. Funds are raised through private donations from individuals and businesses, and through fund raising events such as the Midwest Monster Adventure Race.

The three elements are:

The Community: Citizens are responsible for forming a Crime Stoppers non-profit corporation, whose Directors establish policy, determine amount and method of reward payments, work closely with the media and police, and oversee the program.

Law Enforcement: A special Crime Stoppers phone is manned by law enforcement. The callers are given a special code number and do not give their names. If after investigation the information leads to an arrest, the caller is entitled to a reward. Our Crime Stoppers program is coordinated by representatives from the Quincy Police Department, Illinois State Police, and the Adams County Sheriff's Department.

The Media: Crime Stoppers' phone number is publicized on a regular basis by the media. An unsolved crime or “Fugitives of the Week” is given special treatment with details published in the newspaper and aired on radio and television.

How do I submit a tip?
It is very simple to report a crime. Call Crime Stoppers at 217-228-4474. Before doing so, we request that you have as many details available as possible in order to assist law enforcement. Give your information to the person answering the phone, they may need to ask you questions or give you instructions. The more information we have the better chance an arrest will result. Remember, Crime Stoppers only pays out rewards for the arrest and/or indictment of suspects involved in crimes.

How do I remain anonymous?
People with information regarding criminal activity and fugitive locations are often reluctant to talk to law enforcement officials because they fear retaliation. Crime Stoppers does not use Caller ID or record telephone conversations. We do not ask for your name, address, telephone number, etc. We would rather not know this information to not only protect you, but to protect the integrity of the Crime Stoppers organization. The caller is assigned a code number, which is used on the information file, and the referral sheet is forwarded to the appropriate agency for the follow up investigation. Callers also use their code to check on the status of the case, or add information to the case.

How do I receive my reward?
Crime Stoppers pays a cash reward up to $1,000.00 when an arrest is made or a crime is solved as a result of the caller's information. The Crime Stoppers Board of Directors meets the first Thursday of every month to go over solved crimes from the previous month. The Board of Directors determines the cash reward for each eligible tipster. On the first Friday of the month, you can call to check the status of your reward. If you are eligible for a reward, you will be given a password and directions to pick up your reward. This process is also anonymous.

How do I make a donation to the tip reward fund?
Quincy Regional Crime Stoppers is a private, 501 (C)(3) nonprofit chartered organization. Tax-deductible donations may be sent to P. O. Box 56 , Quincy, IL 62306 . If you have any questions regarding donations, please call the Crime Stoppers office at 217-228-4485, or via e-mail at info@quincycrimestoppers.com .

Citizen involvement is the key to crime solving. With your participation, Quincy Regional Crime Stoppers will continue to be an effective crime-fighting tool in Adams County.

2008 Executive Board of Directors
President - Dave Bowen
First Vice-President - Jim Ulm
Second Vice-President - Kevin Rankin
Third Vice-President - Laura Goehl
Secretary/Treasurer - Mike Predmore
Past President - Barb Woodvine

Quincy Regional Crime Stoppers Coordinators

OFFICER KELLY VANDERMAIDEN

I graduated from Quincy University with a degree in social work. I worked in the social work field for six years and became a police officer in January of 2000. Since being on the department, I have attended schools to become a field training officer, juvenile officer, D.A.R.E. officer, and elder service officer. My husband, Doug is a Sergeant on the Quincy Police Department. I have two stepchildren and our son was born in 2003. In my spare time, I enjoy running and have run two marathons (one being the Boston Marathon) and am looking forward to training for the next one. I also enjoy spending time with family and friends.

I worked with Crime Stoppers several years ago and am glad to be back working with the organization. In addition to Crime Stoppers, my unit handles all of the community policing programs at QPD. Some of these include the Citizen Police Academy, Neighborhood Watch, Volunteers in Policing, D.A.R.E., and Crime Stoppers just to name a few. I am also a D.A.R.E instructor and spend time teaching D.A.R.E to 6 th graders in Quincy schools.

I look forward to working with the board to continue the success Quincy Regional Crime Stoppers has had since its inception.

TROOPER MIKE KINDHART

DEPUTY KEVIN DOUGLAS
I graduated from Quincy University in 2006 with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice. Before attending Quincy University, I attended John Wood Community College. I was hired by the Adams County Sheriff's Department in July of 2002. Since joining the Department I have received specialized training such as: Elder Service Officer, a member of the Crisis Intervention Team, and Crime Stoppers Officer. I was born and raised in Quincy and come from a large family. My wife and I have 2 daughters and family in and around the Quincy Area. In my spare time, my hobbies include playing golf or basketball, working around the house, and relaxing with friends and family. I joined the Crime Stoppers' family in August of 2006. I look forward to helping the Crime Stoppers' family continue to grow and be very involved with our community.

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QUINCY REGIONAL CRIME STOPPER STATS
Year to Date Stats (2007) Tips Received: 132 Arrests Made:   32 Cases Presented:   32 Drugs/Property Recovered:   $0 Rewards Paid:   $4,240	Since Inception (Feb. 2, 1997) Tips Received: 3,591 Arrests Made:   1,011 Cases Presented:   887 Drugs/Property Recovered:   $209,061 Rewards Paid:   $86,955

Quincy Regional Crime Stoppers History

1996
A 28-member citizens board meets to discuss publicity and begins raising funds for rewards. Illinois State Police Trooper Mike Pigg is coordinator. After meeting in Early December, the board met and officers were elected:

Preident - Mel Dillman
1st Vice-President - Charlie Doan
2nd Vice-President - Jeff Dorsey
Secretary - Ted Niemann
Treasurer - Sandra Davis

1997

• February 14th: the Quincy Regional Crime Stoppers officially begins. 4,000
  "Most Wanted" posters are printed. The poster is featured in the Quincy
  Herald-Whig. A 60 second reenactment is produced and aired on WGEM-TV. Phone calls on that first day result in 6 arrests.
• Quincy Police Officer Gil Feld is added as a liaison officer to the group in May.
• By June, "Tri-States' Most Wanted" premieres on CGEM, a cable channel operated by WGEM. Hosted by Pigg and Feld, the 30-minute show highlights fugitives as well as features a community policing segment.
  
• The program receives 366 calls leading to nearly 100 arrests and more than 20 cases are solved. $5,790 is paid out in rewards.

1998

• Receives $3,903 from McDonald's Restaurants in Quincy through a "SuperSize for Crime Stoppers" promotion.
• QRCS launches "Safe Streets", offering awards for information about guns illegally carried or displayed.
• Almost 500 calls are received in 1998. Over 110 arrests are made due to these calls. $6,580 is paid out in rewards, and over $41,000 is claimed in recovered property and illegal drugs.

1999

• As a fundraiser, the Harlem All-Stars, a comedy basketball group is brought to Quincy in January. Before the game, players visited area schools with their stay-in-school and stay-away-from-drugs messages. The show was a giant success as Quincy High's Blue Devil Gym is filled to the rafters. Thanks to McDonald's for their sponsorship.
• The Adams County Sheriff's Department joined Quincy Regional Crime Stoppers in February. Deputy Kathy Carver was assigned as liaison officer to the Crime Stoppers.
• Members fingerprint more than 100 youngsters at the Adams Electric Cooperative's Annual Meeting.
• QRCS receives 339 calls, leading to 88 arrests, and $6,870 paid out in rewards.

2000

• Crime Stoppers and WGEM-TV bring back the Harlem All-Stars before a crowd of over 3,000.
• With help from the QRCS, Quincy High School develops their own Scholastic Crime Stoppers program, giving rewards to fellow students if tips result in solved crimes. The first crime is solved within a month.
• The program receives 371 calls. 102 arrests are made. $7,450 in rewards is paid out.

2001

• After learning that phone records are subpoenaed in connection with a local murder case, QRCS votes to suspend operations until a solution can be found. It is the first time in the 26-year history of the worldwide organization that a caller's identity has been revealed.
• After being offline for six weeks, the three law enforcement agencies agree to a confidentiality and nondisclosure agreement with the organization. The board resumes operations and opens its hotline.
• In September, a classic 1965 Ford Mustang is raffled as a fundraiser with the Tri-State Lugnuts.
• The program receives 305 calls resulting in the solving of 64 cases. $7,070 is awarded for tips leading to an arrest.

2002

• The QRCS welcomes over 150 members from statewide Crime Stopper chapters to the Illinois State Crime Stopper Training and Conference held in May.
• In December, Officer Gil Feld returns to the QPD Patrol and 'retires' from
  the Crime Stoppers. The board welcomes Officer Kelly VanderMaiden as coordinator.
• The Harlem All-Stars return to Quincy in September for the third time to visit schools and sign autographs at Wal-Mart before competing against "The Bravest and Finest of Quincy" in Blue Devil Gym.
• QRCS received 303 calls resulting in 97 cases solved and 101 arrests. $2450 in property was recovered and $9420 was paid out in rewards.

2003

• The first "Midwest Monster Adventure Race" is a hit! 48 teams endure a grueling course and the elements to compete for trophies, medals and other prizes!
• In 2003, QRCS received 391 calls resulting in 117 cases solved and 125 arrests. $8985 was paid in rewards to calls resulting in arrests.
  

2004

• Trooper Sherman Meyer of the Illinois State Police joins QRCS as coordinator.
• The first Quincy Regional Crime Stoppers Scholarship Program is announced, providing a $1000 college scholarship to one Adams County high school senior.
• Deputy Dave Mason of the Adams County Sheriff's Department is named a coordinator, replacing Investigator Kathy Carver.
• In 2004, QRCS received 333 calls resulting in the solving of 71 cases and 80 arrests. $7475 is awarded for tips leading to an arrest. Over $19,000 is recovered in property and illegal drugs due to tips.
  

2005

• Camp Point Central High School graduate and Western Illinois University student Nancy Bockhold is the first recepient of the QRCS $1000 Scholarship.
• The board of directors grows from 30 to 35.
• QPD Officer Gil Feld returns to the ProAct Unit and to the Quincy Regional Crime Stoppers as Coordinator.
• The "Midwest Monster Adventure Race" hosts another great race along a new course: through the parks and streets of Quincy.
• In 2005, QRCS received 324 calls resulting in the solving of 82 cases and 112 arrests. $10,600 is awarded for tips leading to an arrest. Over $12,865 is recovered in property and illegal drugs due to tips.
  

2006

• In 2006, QRCS received 258 calls resulting in the solving of 88 cases and arrests. A QRCS record $12,940 is awarded for tips leading to an arrest. $16,070 is recovered in property and illegal drugs due to tips.
• Deputy Kevin Douglas of the Adams County Sheriff's Department is named a coordinator.
  

2007

• QRCS welcomes Trooper Mike Kindhart from the Illinois State Police as coordinator.
• The "Midwest Monster Adventure Race" celebrates its 5th Anniversary.

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Illinois State Crime Stoppers Association Awards

1997
Coordinator of the Year - Mike Pigg
Television Station of the Year - WGEM-TV

1998
Coordinator of the Year - Gil Feld
Television Station of the Year - WGEM-TV
Newspaper of the Year - Quincy Herald-Whig
Radio Station of the Year - WTAD, Citadel Communications, Inc.
Contributor of the Year - Refreshment Services Pepsi, Quincy Bottling

1999
Television Station of the Year - WGEM-TV
Newspaper of the Year - Quincy Herald-Whig
Contributor of the Year - McDonald's Restaurants, Quincy

2000
Coordinators of the Year - Gil Feld, Kathy Carver, Mike Pigg
Television Station of the Year - WGEM-TV
Newspaper of the Year - Quincy Herald-Whig
Radio Station of the Year - Y101
Contributor of the Year - Quincy Newspapers, Inc.
Board Member of the Year - Charlie Ledbetter

2001
Coordinator of the Year - Kathy Carver
Television Station of the Year - WGEM-TV
Newspaper of the Year - Quincy Herald-Whig
Radio Station of the Year - Y101

2002
Board Member of the Year - Bill Markword
Television Station of the Year - WGEM-TV
Newspaper of the Year - Quincy Herald-Whig

2003
Coordinator of the Year - Mike Pigg
Media Organization of the Year - WGEM-TV
Media Organization of the Year - Quincy Herald-Whig
Contributor of the Year - Lusage Solutions
Board Member of the Year - Dennis Oliver

2004
Coordinator of the Year - Kelly VanderMaiden
Media Organization of the Year - WGEM-TV
Media Organization of the Year - Quincy Herald-Whig
Board Member of the Year - Mike Predmore

2005
Media Organization of the Year - Quincy Newspapers, Inc. (WGEM-TV/Quincy Herald-Whig)
Board Member of the Year - Kevin Curran

2006
Coordinator of the Year - Gil Feld
Board Member of the Year - Jim Ulm
Television Station of the Year - WGEM-TV
Newspaper of the Year - Quincy Herald-Whig
Contributor of the Year - County Market

2007
Coordinator of the Year - Sherman Meyer
Board Member of the Year - Laura Goehl
Media Organization of the Year - Quincy Herald-Whig

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