http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/18/us/18crimestopper.html?ex=1368849600&en=02d27e29b0020a22&ei...
As Prices Rise, Crime Tipsters Work Overtime
By SHAILA DEWAN and BRENDA GOODMAN
To gas prices, foreclosure rates and the cost of rice, add this rising
economic indicator: the number of tips to the police from people
hoping to collect reward money.
Calls to the Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers hot line in the first
quarter of this year were up 30 percent over last year. San Antonio
had a 44 percent increase. Cities and towns from Detroit to Omaha to
Beaufort County, N.C., all report increases of 25 percent or more in
the first quarter, with tipsters telling operators they need the money
for rent, light bills or baby formula.
“For this year, everyone that’s called has pretty much been just
looking for money,” said Sgt. Lawrence Beller, who answers Crime
Stoppers calls at the Sussex County, N.J., sheriff’s office. “That’s
as opposed to the last couple of years, where some people were just
sick of the crime and wanting to do something about it.”