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Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody recently announced a partnership with former America’s Most Wanted host John Walsh and the Florida Association of Crime Stoppers to promote a tipline for the public to report crime.
The initiative, called **TIPS, allows Florida residents and visitors to anonymously report crimes via the tipline and collect rewards for tips that lead to an arrest.
“Many times those who commit crimes do not stay in the jurisdiction in which they commit crimes. They flee to other jurisdictions,” Moody explained. “They may reside in other jurisdictions, and we really need a way and a program to involve those in the communities who may have information about crime — which might not be in the jurisdiction in which that crime was committed. We need Floridians to feel a part of that process.”
The statewide program simplifies the process for citizens to anonymously report crimes.
Moody explained that the initiative was born out of a necessity to streamline and consolidate crime reporting lines, adding that when she became the attorney general in 2019, there were 27 different lines across the state.
“Now it’s time that we really engage and recruit law-abiding citizens to become members of our crime-fighting community and team to help us solve more recent crimes but even long, outstanding, unsolved crimes,” Moody said.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw was supportive of the initiative, and praised Walsh as a valuable partner in law enforcement’s efforts to track down dangerous criminals. He also stressed the importance of Crime Stoppers in not only identifying suspects but preventing crimes like mass shootings.
Walsh himself commended Florida’s approach, saying, “(Florida’s) Crime Stoppers is the nation’s example. We guarantee at Crime Stoppers that you will remain anonymous and that you will get paid.”
According to officials, the campaign to promote the **TIPS line will include videos and social media posts featuring Walsh that encourage the public to take an active role in the state’s crime-fighting endeavors.
Moody also said the initiative is part of Florida’s commitment to building relationships and trust between citizens and law enforcement.
Furthermore, **TIPS has now been adopted for nationwide use, enabling anyone in the United States to report crimes anonymously while potentially receiving rewards for helpful tips.
Additionally, Moody announced a substantial increase in award money for anonymous tips in murder cases, raising the maximum allowable award from $5,000 to $9,500 for tips leading to an arrest through the Florida Association of Crime Stoppers.
Moody further compared Florida’s approach to other states like New York and Illinois, where policies may discourage emergency reporting.
Florida, on the other hand, is enacting policies to crack down on organized retail theft and other crime trends as a “law and order” state.
“This really sets Florida apart from other cities and states across the nation,” Moody told Fox News. “We want to encourage our citizens to trust law enforcement, to report emergencies unlike other places that are saying, you know, even with robberies, don’t report emergencies, report them to this non-emergency line. We believe that if something is an emergency, if someone has robbed you by force, that you need to report that immediately because someone else’s safety may be in danger. So keep calling 9-1-1 with robbery and other dangerous crimes.”
Moody also said that Florida’s focus on safety and community protection aligns with its position as a leader in migration, tourism and business growth. “Law and order is one of our top priorities,” she stated.
Moody concluded by praising Walsh as a symbol of relentless crime fighting and solving due to his personal experiences, declaring that he is the ideal person to launch the campaign.
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