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53 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, November 14, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 27, 2004 Since You Asked Foiling criminals does pay I always read the Crime Stoppers feature, but I have been wondering about the average amount Sonitrol actually pays for tips. I have heard that it ranges from only $100 to $250 and that no one has ever received the $1,000 amount. — Kathleen M., Medford The average Crime Stoppers payoff is indeed around $150 to $200, said Medford police Lt. Tim George, a Crime Stoppers board member. Few tipsters hit it big because the reward depends both on the crime involved and the quality of information, George said. Based on a payment matrix, the organization could award $1,000 for information in a murder, manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide, George said. The tip would have to be a level 3, which means police would have the suspect’s name and exact location. Level two information — which includes the suspect’s identity but no location — pays slightly less. A level one tip pays the least and only gives police general descriptions of a possible suspect, George said. Advertisement The Crime Stoppers board, which meets once a month to approve payments, can circumvent the matrix depending on the circumstance, George said. Sonitrol has a yearly budget of about $3,000 to $4,000 for the program, he added. "It’s pretty quick and easy money," George said. "All you’ve got to do is make a phone call." Sources remain anonymous, but a board member transfers payments in person. George called the program "very successful," particularly the Mail Tribune’s weekly feature, which leads to arrests in 60 to 70 percent of cases. (See this week’s Crime Stoppers, Page 9A.) Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities