The reward for a tip to Omaha Crime Stoppers leading to arrests for certain crimes is increasing substantially.
Omaha Police announced Wednesday that the reward for tips leading to an arrest for felony assaults or shootings is $10,000. For homicides, it’s $25,000. Previously, the reward was $1,000.
Police Chief Todd Schmaderer says the number of shootings is on a downward trend.
"We have reduced the number of shootings in our city on a downward trend in 2012 and 2013, and so far 2014 we’re seeing that downward trend. So far this year we’ve had seven homicides in Omaha, seven homicides too many. But I looked back the past ten years and that’s the least number of homicides we’ve had going back ten years for the first one-third of the year."
Schmaderer hopes the larger rewards will lead to more calls and solved crimes. He says police hope it’ll also cause potential criminals to think twice before committing a crime.
More than 100,000 donors contributed toward the new Crime Stoppers rewards.