The general assembly finds that a significant number of criminal offenders remain at large in this state because law enforcement agencies often lack information concerning criminal activity. In many instances private citizens have information that, if known to law enforcement agencies, would lead to the detection and apprehension of such offenders. Private, nonprofit crime stopper organizations that offer rewards for such information have been successful at encouraging some citizens to come forward; however, even with the offer of a reward, many citizens do not come forward because they fear involvement and shun publicity. In order to remedy this situation and to increase the effectiveness of crime stopper organizations, the general assembly finds and declares that it is appropriate to provide for the anonymity of any person who provides information concerning criminal activity to a crime stopper organization and to provide for the confidentiality of crime stopper organization records.
Source: L. 94: Entire article added, p. 1808, § 1, effective June 1.