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From petty crimes to assault, homicide and human trafficking, one local nonprofit announced a list of noteworthy accomplishments in Central Valley crime deterrence in 2023.

Valley Crime Stoppers received more than 2,500 tips this past year — an average of nearly seven tips per day — and saw an overall positive year for tips resulting in arrests and seizure of property, including stolen items and illicit goods.

Not actually affiliated with local law enforcement, but more of a partner, Valley Crime Stoppers is part of the larger nationwide Crime Stoppers organization. It operates an anonymous tip system, canvassing residents of Fresno, Kings, Madera and Tulare counties and gathering tips via phone or web that led to the hopeful arrest of criminal suspects.

“People have heard of Crime Stoppers but maybe they don’t know exactly how it works,” said John Hustedde, Fresno PD detective and coordinator for Valley Crime Stoppers (law enforcement liaison). “Sometimes they think it is the police department and they don’t know. It’s a nonprofit organization that partners with law enforcement.”

In addition to more than 2,500 tips in 2023, Valley Crime Stoppers reported more than $20,000 in property recovered, along with $45,000 worth of drugs seized and $30,000 in cash. Additionally, the nonprofit reported 21 weapons taken off the streets as well as more than 65 arrests stemming from anonymous tips.

“It’s very important for people to be anonymous for Crime Stoppers because they’re the ones that are seeing the crimes that are happening in their neighborhoods,” Hustedde said. “Because it’s a nonprofit organization, that information is secured; it’s not a government organization that owns that information.”

Hustedde also added that donations to the nonprofit organization are entirely tax deductible, with 100% of corporate sponsorship money going directly into the nonprofit’s operating expenses, which consists mainly of cash rewards. The only employee on their payroll is Program Director Erica Magarian, leaving the remainder of funds to be used as rewards for tips.

Magarian, daughter of former Fresno County Sheriff Steve Magarian, has been on the job since July 2022.

“It makes such a big impact on the community when a serious crime comes in and the chief [of police] wants to really put it out there and give a bigger reward — there’s no money in a budget for a police department or a sheriff’s department to do that,” Hustedde said.

Crime Stoppers has representation throughout the country. It was founded in Albuquerque in 1976 following an arrest that led law enforcement to an apartment complex thanks to an anonymous tip on a vehicle that belonged to the suspect.

After that arrest, several other cases were solved thanks to anonymous tips.

Following the success of the program, the Albuquerque Police Department established the nation’s first Crime Stoppers program.

Valley Crime Stoppers was founded in 1993 after five individuals donated money to be used as rewards for anonymous tips.

“Thank you for your support and for helping us give back to law enforcement,” Valley Crime Stoppers Board President Dale Mendoza wrote in an annual update letter to the media. “They truly need our help now more than ever.”

Valley Crime Stoppers operates solely on donations from the public through independent citizens and businesses. All donations are tax deductible and 100% of donations go to support Valley Crime Stoppers directly.

Valley Crime Stoppers also hosts an annual fundraiser – June Jam – each June. The event, which takes place towards the end of spring, features entertainment, auctions, live music and more, with the proceeds going to support reward funds for Valley Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line.

Tips to Valley Crime Stoppers can be made by contacting (559) 498-STOP (7867) and can also be made online at valleycrimestoppers.org. Tips can also be tracked through the Valley Crime Stoppers website.