TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Douglas J. Hewett, ICMA-CM, City Manager
FROM: Brook Redding, MPA, PMP, Senior Assistant to the City Manager
DATE: August 25, 2025
RE:Title
Updated MOU with Crime Stoppers to Support Enhanced Tip Rewards
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COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
ALL
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal 2: Safe and Secure Community
Goal 4: Desirable Place to Live, Work and Recreate
Executive Summary:
This item presents an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Fayetteville and Fayetteville/Cumberland Crime Stoppers, Inc. The revised MOU reflects the City’s participation in an increased reward structure for anonymous tips leading to arrests in qualifying crimes. The changes support City Council's May 5, 2025 motion during the Public Safety Work Session to expand Crime Stoppers rewards from a maximum of $2,000 to $5,000 per incident.
Background:
The City of Fayetteville maintains a long-standing partnership with the nonprofit Crime Stoppers program to encourage anonymous tips through community-based crime reporting. Under the existing 2022 MOU, the City provides software support for the P3/Navigate360 tip management platform used by the Police Department and Crime Stoppers.
In response to Council’s May 2025 directive, City staff held meetings with the Police Department, City Attorney’s Office, and Crime Stoppers Board to evaluate and structure an updated partnership. A revised MOU was drafted to implement Council’s request while preserving all previous terms and operational roles.
Issues/Analysis:
The updated MOU includes the following provisions:
• Increases the allowable maximum reward to $5,000 in qualifying criminal cases.
• Establishes a cost-sharing mechanism in which Crime Stoppers pays the first $2,000, and the City reimburses up to $3,000 as needed.
• Maintains Crime Stoppers’ responsibility for reward administration and tip anonymity.
• Continues City support for the P3/Navigate360 platform through existing financial commitments.
The increased reward amount will be determined based on law enforcement criteria and a point-based classification within the system. City staff, in coordination with the Police Department, are conducting a retrospective review of prior rewards to develop a projected budget impact based on historical trends.
Budget Impact:
The anticipated budget impact is minimal. Based on past data, the number of qualifying high-value tips that would exceed the previous threshold is expected to remain low. The Police Department has indicated they will accommodate any increase within their existing budget planning. Staff will monitor activity levels and report back if any future budget adjustments become necessary.
Options:
Receive the report and allow staff to proceed with implementation.
Provide alternate direction to staff.
Recommended Action::Recommended Action
For information only, no action required unless Council moves to add to an upcoming Work Session.
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Attachments:
DRAFT - Crime Stoppers MOU - Tip Increase & Nav360.pdf