Helping solve crimes since 1984: La Crosse Area Crime Stoppers aids community safety

LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- The La Crosse Area Crime Stoppers is an organization that's been serving the community since 1984, helping area law enforcement solve crimes.

"The organization is comprised from people all over our community," said Andrew Brye, Board of Directors for the La Crosse Area Crime Stoppers.

"Some of us, like I said, are business owners, or servers, your neighbors, your friends," said Brye.

Here's how it works: The La Crosse Police Department partners with the La Crosse Area Crime Stoppers and provides a law enforcement liaison with Crime Stopper tips.

The Liaison then presents these tips at board meetings. The crimes that are solved because of these tips receive a reward.

"The cash reward is left with that person who gave us a good tip," said Brye.

Tips remain completely anonymous. The crime tip will then be directed to a specialized La Crosse area police officer for further investigation.

"They will sort it out accordingly, if it's going to La Crescent area, Holmen area, West Salem area, La Crosse area," said Brye.

Crime Stoppers work to combat all types of crime, including hard pressed ones like drug distribution and abuse.

"Our main focus obviously within our community is trying to get some of these elicit drugs. Fentanyl is an enormous problem," said Brye.

Even tips on smaller crimes go a long way.

"But the small ones make a different too. These people are breaking into cars. A good tip like that goes a long way as well," said Brye.

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