Dothan Area Crime Stoppers (DACS) is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to providing Dothan residents with a variety of ways to report observed criminal activity to law enforcement. Its civilian-based, community board of directors provides direction as to the financial and promotional activities of the program.
The Crime Stoppers program is funded by private donations, fundraising, and the Crime Stoppers Trust Fund. No taxpayer funds are involved. The reward money paid out by the program is from the fund raising and donations from concerned citizens and businesses.
A community board of directors, made up of persons from throughout the area, meets on a monthly basis to evaluate arrests and to decide on the size of rewards to be paid, up to $1,000. Rewards are then distributed in a private manner to the callers. Callers are eligible for rewards up to $1,000, but, despite this, many callers choose not to collect their rewards.
Other Wiregrass law enforcement agencies that receive tips from Dothan Area Crime Stoppers include the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, Headland Police Department and Abbeville Police Department.
Persons wishing to report crimes to DACS can do so through text, phone or a website. None of the systems used will collect identifying information. In the event that return communication is received it is not from law enforcement, it is from DACS.
By guaranteeing a caller`s anonymity, Crime Stoppers allows the caller to give information in a positive atmosphere without the prospect of retribution. By offering cash rewards for information leading to indictment or arrests, the program encourages otherwise reluctant callers to provide information.
By Phone: (334) 793-7000
This is not a police dispatcher, it is a stand-alone telephone without caller ID or recording equipment. The tip is received here and passed on to the appropriate law enforcement agency for action.
Online: www.cityprotect.com
This is a third-party website that receives tip information and passes it on to the appropriate law enforcement agency. This site allows tipsters to submit information from a web browser anonymously.
By Text: CRIMES (274637)
Send a text starting with the letters “DACS” (no quotes) and follow that with your tip. There are no charges for this service, but your carrier may bill you to use the SMS service on your cellular telephone. Once the tip is received, you will receive another text with a Confidential Code Number, which will allow you to submit additional information to the original tip.