ROOTED IN COMMUNITY
OUR HISTORYGreater Fort Wayne Crime Stoppers Inc. is a community-driven program dedicated to empowering citizens in the fight against crime.
The Very Beginning
HOW IT ALL STARTED IN THE U.S.
In 1976, in Albuquerque New Mexico, a gas station employee was murdered during a robbery. In an effort to keep the investigation moving in the right direction, Detective Greg MacAleese created a program to encourage citizens to provide information about crime in their communities. The program offered cash rewards for information that led to an arrest. With guaranteed anonymity and help from media, the program led to other calls for other ongoing investigations. Albuquerque’s crime rate dropped after adopting the new Crime Stoppers program.
Today, Crime Stoppers has grown to reach not only around the United States but also Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America, Europe, Australia, and the South/Western Pacific!
The Crime Stoppers program boasts an average conviction rate of approximately 95% on cases solved by community tips.
Crime Stoppers partners with the community, the media, and law enforcement in order to keep communities safe.
Information gathered from: https://www.crimestoppersusa.org/
Our Founder, Gary Allen Lotter
The Start of the Fort Wayne Division
Gary Lotter, a native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, began his career as a salesman and later worked as a men’s fashion buyer at Hills Discount Department Store. In 1963, he married Sherry Miller, who was his greatest supporter, especially in his work with Crime Stoppers.
In 1968, Gary joined the Fort Wayne Police Department, where he served for 21 years in various roles, including detective and captain in the detective bureau. In 1983, after learning about the Crime Stoppers program, Gary helped establish the Greater Fort Wayne Crime Stoppers, becoming its first coordinator. He traveled to other cities to gather information, formed a Steering Committee, and raised funds for rewards.
Under Gary’s leadership, the program became highly successful, solving crimes and recovering millions in property and drugs. He also helped create 13 additional Crime Stoppers programs across Indiana and Ohio. For his efforts, he received multiple awards, including a Meritorious Service Citation from the Fort Wayne Police Department and recognition from Crime Stoppers International.
Gary’s contributions extended beyond Crime Stoppers—as an avid baseball fan, he was also involved with St. Joe Center Little League. Today, Crime Stoppers continues Gary’s work, now enhanced by the P3 smartphone app. On November 4, 2023, Gary was honored as the founder of the Greater Fort Wayne Crime Stoppers at the “Run Out Crime 4 The City” event. On February 10, 2024, he was presented with the Sagamore of the Wabash Award by Governor Eric Holcomb in recognition of his outstanding contributions.