BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) – The Executive Director of Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama says the organization is experiencing delays in their call center.
Bob Copus says his organization works with a call center in Houston to handle local calls to 205-254-7777. The Houston center has been impacted by hurricane Beryl and is currently operating out of a hotel, which is limiting the call volume the center can handle.
Copus says that some callers may experience delays in reaching a Crime Stoppers representative, but callers should remain on the line as all calls will be answered.
Mobile app tips and information are still running normally. Even with the delays in call times, Crime Stoppers says it has received many tips regarding the fatal shooters at Echo Highlands Park and North Birmingham nightclub.
Copus encourages anyone who has information on the shootings to reach out to Crime Stoppers. He says anything can be helpful to the police from a color of a car to something you have heard from your neighbor.
“When it comes to your safety, no one knows your community, no one knows your street like you do, it’s great to have patrols and we need patrols, but if you want a safe community, the community has to set the standard,” said Copus.
Crime Stoppers pays cash tips weekly to people who submit tips.
“It doesn’t have to be a conviction. All we need to pay you is for the police to say this furthered the investigation, this was a good tip, that’s all it takes,” added Copus.
Tips received through the mobile app or over the phone are anonymous, Crime Stoppers does not have access to a caller’s phone number, email address, or IP address.
Copus says Crime Stoppers is working to fix the delays in the call center and will provide an update to the community later tonight.