Nassau County's Crimestoppers Program received its 900th tip during the past week, marking its continued success in providing assistance and confidential information to the police. To mark this accomplishment, Nassau County Executive Thomas Gulotta met with police and Crimestoppers officials, to outline new outreach efforts under way to further expand the program.

Crimestoppers has resulted in tips leading to the arrest of numerous major crime suspects, including the arrest of three subjects for the murder of an East Meadow gas station attendant, the arrest of a suspect for armed robberies in North Long Beach, and the surrender of an assailant who assaulted a victim with a baseball bat in Inwood.

"The success of Crimestoppers is the best example of how effective a close cooperative effort between the police and our residents can be in saving lives" Gulotta said. "All calls are kept anonymous and cash rewards are offered, raised through the generosity of private sector donations at no taxpayer expense."

"Nassau County's crime rate has reached a 29-year record low," Gulotta continued. "Much of the credit for this outstanding achievement rests with the excellent work done by the Nassau County Police, as well as our village and city police departments. However, the police could not be effective without the cooperation of our citizens, who take an active role in reporting suspicious events and individuals to our police. The Crimestoppers Program provides an excellent, confidential vehicle for our citizens to participate in keeping our crime rate so low. I am delighted to note its success as well as its outreach expansion."

As part of the outreach expansion, large car-top signs on taxi-cabs have been installed through the courtesy of All Island Taxi, DeLux Transportation, and the Long Island Yellow Cab Company. The signs serve to remind passing motorists that they can contact Crimestoppers anytime with information pertaining to possible criminal activity. In addition, bumper stickers with the crime-stoppers phone number (1-800-244-TIPS) are being placed on all county owned vehicles.

As a mark of the program's great success since its inception in 1995, Crimestoppers recorded its 900th anonymous tip last week. In its four years (+) of operation, it has resulted in the arrest of 109 individuals, the closing of 201 open criminal cases, and the recovery of $290,000 in stolen property. $16,434 has been paid out to date in rewards associated with the program.

Nassau Police Commissioner Donald Kane said: "Crimestoppers creates the opportunity for citizens to become involved in helping us solve crimes, while retaining their anonymity. Our department has always prided itself for our service style of policing. This program has clearly enhanced our ability to interact with the public in a very positive fashion."

A non-profit board of directors was formed with the program's inception. The board raises funds, establishes policy, and determines the amount and method of reward payments by the police. Mr. Stanley Kreitman of Manhattan Associates serves as chairman of the board.