Crimestoppers 2.0: Making a difference in Cleveland County
- Chuck Thompson
- Aug 9, 2025
- 7 min read
They sat poised, friendly, yet serious. The day the Shelby Independent met with Crimestoppers at the Shelby Police Department, it was the last warm day before the brief early August cold front moved in; and they were turning up the heat on criminals just as the air in Cleveland County was cooling down.
“This is not the old school program you might remember,” noted Jeff Yates, chairman of Cleveland County Crimestoppers, Inc. “This isn’t your McGruff or neighborhood watch many people remember from the 1980’s and 90’s. It’s completely different than the public perception of what Crimestoppers is.”
McGruff the crime dog was a cartoon depicted character which debuted in 1980 with television, newspaper, billboard, and radio advertisements. Although effective, this campaign mostly focused on prevention and awareness.
“A lot of people don’t know what Crimestoppers is and what it does” added Board Member Cheryl Yates. “We hope to change that by getting out in the community and educating the public on this valuable resource.”
This all-new Crimestoppers isn’t just bark – it has teeth; something criminals should fear, and law-abiding citizens can take comfort from, knowing Crimestoppers is back on the scene, coordinating with law enforcement to help capture bad guys and prevent more crime from happening through tips from the community.
But first — let’s go back a few years, albeit briefly.
Around 2015 Crimestoppers all but vanished in many areas, especially here in Cleveland County. Still functional, it wasn’t at all what it is now.
In 2022, A new Crimestoppers, Inc. arose in Cleveland County, with a new weapon to fight crime: an app that allows people to report crimes and those wanted by law enforcement while remaining totally anonymous and get paid.
Yes, you read that correctly. Get paid.
“In 2022 we were handed a volunteer assignment by the Chief of Police, to work on, if we could get the program back up and running,” added Jeff Yates.
“We all started day one!” added Cheryl Yates, Crimestoppers board member, referring to herself, her husband Jeff and Sergeant Brad Benson, law enforcement coordinator for Crimestoppers.
By the fall of 2022 they were making moves.
They came back from the training and the real work began.
Jeff and Cheryl Yates, and Shelby Police Department Officer, Sgt. Benson hand-picked their first volunteer board of directors.
And this time, the public would soon realize, Crimestoppers had new teeth – and the bite would be felt.
Sgt. Benson, a six-year veteran with the Shelby Police Department, and 12 years of experience in law enforcement, recipient of the 2022-2023 Crimestoppers Coordinator of the Year award and member for the NC State Crimestoppers Board, talked about the how Crimestoppers was biting back at the bad guys.
“We have an app,” Benson explained. “It’s an updated way how tipsters are able to submit tips, while remaining anonymous. “It’s free and you can download it on your smartphone.”
The app, called P3, is changing the way crimes are being solved. The app allows two-way communication between tipsters and Crimestoppers, including the ability to upload images and videos. It's available for both iOS / Apple and Android devices.
The tip doesn’t go to Crimestoppers it is sent directly to local low enforcement. Benson receives the tip and then sends it directly to the appropriate law enforcement agency depending on what jurisdiction the tip and incident occurred.
And, if it pays off for law enforcement, it pays off for the people in the community that send the tip through the P3 Tip app on their phone.
“It’s important for the community to know that they do remain anonymous and that a payout is possible, all while remaining anonymous,” Sgt. Benson said. “You will still remain anonymous when you are paid for a successful tip through the app.”
Since the Cleveland County launch of the P3 Tip system on March 15, 2023 (since the time of this interview) there have been 350 tips, 15 arrests, eight people cleared, $42,000 in drugs seized, two stolen weapons recovered, and reward monies approved in the amount of $3,338 paid out to multiple individuals.
But, doing the right thing has been more important to the community than just getting paid for tips, as Jeff Yates noted.
“What we found out really quick is a majority of our tipsters are interested in doing the right thing by reporting information they have about a crime and not interested in a monetary reward,” he stated. “It shows how much the community cares, and how trusting they are reaching out because they know this P3 app keeps tipsters anonymous.”
Benson agreed, adding, “It gives the community another avenue to reach the police.” But he also wanted to clarify that is not meant to be used for emergencies. “It’s not 911 – it’s not meant for that, but it is another way to reach law enforcement about a crime.”
While P3 can keep track of progress made on a tip through the app, it is important to know that some tips may take a while to investigate, while other might be solved within a day.
“Sometimes, your tips might take a while, especially with a drug tip, because an investigation is needed first”. Benson noted. “It takes time though.”
Yates agreed, “It takes a little time, and we hope for a successful investigation, but it doesn’t always happen – and not right away. However, some tips for warrants are processed, and arrests are made, very quickly.”
Anyone that has seen the Crimestoppers P3 app in action can attest to its value.
“My opinion is that one of the biggest tools for detectives is Crimestoppers and the P3 Tip system,” noted Benson.
Recently, a $1,000 reward was paid to an anonymous tipster.
“A tip was given regarding the whereabouts of a person for breaking and entering, and violent crimes. We went there to the location and made the arrest,” Benson said.
All three of them, Jeff, Cheryl Yates and Sgt. Benson, stressed the anonymity of the tipster through the entire process.
Payouts are made through the P3 Tip system. Once law enforcement explains to the Crimestoppers board how the tip made helped lead to an arrest, it is proceed by Crimestoppers, based on a payout chart of the severity of the crime.
“It’s not uncommon to have several credible tips on the same case which is then divided among those that made credible tips,” added Jeff.
They pay out up to $1,000 for an arrest but not everyone takes the money.
Still completely anonymous, the person receives their money as a cash payment.
A tipster is assigned a number and then told to go to a certain bank. The tipster goes through the drive-thru, without ever having to go inside, and the teller gives the tipster a cash envelope.
“The tipster does not have to worry about connecting a bank account or telling them who they are,” Cheryl explained. “And they won’t know until they get to the bank how much money they’re getting. It’s just part of the process.”
So, where does the money come from to pay anonymous tipsters?
People like you.
Corporate sponsors.
Anyone that can help and wants to make a difference.
“We live entirely on donations and grants,” said Jeff Yates. “We’re all volunteers, nobody is paid, and we’re constantly looking for fundraising and grants to keep this going.”
“Generous corporate donations have made a big difference. We have received grants from Walmart Distribution, Walmart stores and Albemarle,” added Jeff . “Additionally, any private citizen can donate directly from the Facebook page, or send a check through the mail.”
(continued below local ads)
The address to donate via mail:
PO Box 1613
Shelby, NC 28151
Crimestoppers has been very active across the community, speaking at churches, social clubs and at schools across Cleveland County.
“We’re really working to get our name out there, and doing what we can to inform the public and let them know that this is 100% anonymous. They should feel safe submitting a tip, regardless of age," said Benson.
“Cleveland County Schools has been very cooperative putting our posters in schools,” Jeff added.
Crimestoppers will be starting a fundraising campaign of their own and make it a community event,” explained Cheryl.
They have partnered with Black Hat BBQ to do a drive-thru BBQ plate scheduled for Nov. 15.
“It’s $15 per plate,” Cheryl said, adding they will start selling tickets on Sept. 15.
“It doesn’t mean we would abandon any efforts with our corporate sponsors,” explained Jeff. “But it’s important to educate and involve the public on what we do.”
“A lot of people don’t know what Crimestoppers is, and what it does” Cheryl added. “We are all one, and want the best for our community, working for the same goal.”
For those interested in having Cleveland County Crimestoppers talk to your classroom, club, business, organization or church group to better understand what Crimestoppers does and how beneficial it is for Cleveland County, you can contact them several different ways.
You can reach out via email, at stoppers.c@yahoo.com, send a message via Facebook or visit their new website directly, at ClevelandCountyCrimestoppersInc.com.
Cleveland County Crimestoppers, Inc., operates under the umbrella of The N.C. Crimestoppers Association.
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Chuck Thompson is a reporter for The Shelby Independent.
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