Why monitor Crime Stoppers?

People think all Crime Stoppers organizations are run on the up-and-up. "Good organizations." "Responsible operations." "Everything is in order." And so people aren't supposed to ask questions.

A police officer liaison to a Texas Crime Stoppers was accused of stealing tip money.
The Rockford Crime Stoppers has over $1,000,000 in the bank.
Crime Stoppers for McHenry County is listed at CrimeStoppers USA as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, but it's not.
The McHenry County Sheriff's Department refused to identify Board members of the Crime Stoppers for McHenry County, even though it is a citizen-run group. The Secretary and President refuse to reply to letter or e-mail communication.
The Woodstock Police Department refused to identify Board members of the Woodstock Area Crime Stoppers, even though it is a citizen-run group.

And comes the Lake County Crime Stoppers to my attention.

How much money is the Lake County Crime Stoppers sitting on? Interesting information is available on the website of the Illinois Attorney General.

For the fiscal year ending 12/31/09, its income was $107,199, and their assets were $103,672.

For the fiscal year ending 12/31/08, its income was $122,224, and their assets were $103,266.

For the fiscal year ending 12/31/07, its income was $117,802, and their assets were $109,116.

So, basically, they are spending about what they take in. On what do they spend it? They've got $100K in the bank, and each year they take in, and spend, $100K (or a little more).

According to IRS Form 1099 for 2009, Executive Director Andy Anderson worked five hours a week and was paid $62,792. Pretty nice, eh? Work for a little not-for-profit group and earn $251 every hour of your five-hour work week!

$62,792 is pretty close to yearly pay for a full-time director of a small not-for-profit group, but he only worked five hours per week.

In 2009 the income was $107,199, so Anderson’s pay consumed 59% of the Crime Stoppers' income. James H. Goldman, Sr. got $1,253 for his five hours a week as Assistant Police Coordinator.

Interestingly enough, both Anderson and Goldman are listed as Consultants on the Illinois Charitable Organization Annual Report for 2009, not by their titles shown on the IRS Form 1099.

What is the purpose of the Lake County Crime Stoppers, Inc.? From the IRS Form 1099, it is “to provide cash rewards to individuals and community members who provide information that aides (sic) in the solving of crimes.”

In 2009 the IRS Form 1099 says that the group paid out $50,575 in cash rewards to individuals.

Contrast that with $3,400 paid out in 2009 by Crime Stoppers for McHenry County.