In 2001 Crime Stoppers brought the “Quick 50” program to the Bloomington School administration for consideration in their schools. Financial rewards were called “Good Citizenship Rewards”. Students and staff changed the program name to Youth Against Crime and it was agreed to implement the program in two high schools first. From time to time, the school principal makes an announcement about the Youth Against Crime program, tips are called in and action is taken.

Now, realizing the success and potential of the program and in full partnership with the Bloomington Public Schools, the Youth Against Crime program has evolved into a key component of the Five Core Values of Ethical Conduct of the school system. The values are specifically taught and modeled in the schools' “learning environments” consisting of respect, responsibility, honesty, citizenship and integrity. Youth Against Crime fits well into these learning environments, which include collaborating with community partners to implement the plan. The teaching of citizenship will expand to include greater student responsibilities for their actions, both refraining from committing crimes, as well as reporting them and will have a strong impact on safety in the schools.

Bloomington's test model for the Youth Against Crime program can unify the metropolitan school districts under one cohesive umbrella and be operated at any level of the educational process, from elementary school, through University. The basic program organization remains the same with the exception that in high school and universities, students can develop their own Board of Directors. There are usually smaller rewards and students are empowered to take control of their environment and community, in their resolve to reduce crime and make their schools a safer place to attend.

Students may anonymously report crimes that have occurred by calling a “tip” line or filling out a form containing detailed information on what the crime was and the name of suspect(s) if known. The program is established to maintain anonymity of tipsters. Programs have established different guidelines for tip information, always ensuring the anonymity of the tipster. If the Crime is solved, then the overseers establish the reward amount in much the same way as the regular program does. The reward is then paid by the board in a manner where the tipster's anonymity can still be guaranteed. As most offences are dealt with by the school administration by way of suspension, detention or restitution rather than criminal charge flexibility from the normal Crime Stoppers operational rules as well as the awards payout policies is acceptable.

Our Youth Against Crime plan calls for two approaches:

Expand Youth Against Crime program in Bloomington, Minnesota schools:

• Work with a small task force of principals to complete the new strategic plan;
• Provide principals with copy of the Strategic Plan to implement in November 2005;
• Complete the development of appropriate materials for each level of schools for take-home information campaign;
• Meet with principals to review implementation program and education of teachers and key students for their support of the program;
• Recruit volunteers to help initiate and support the program;
• Presentation is made by Crime Stoppers to each school's Student council. Within each presentation time frame is the Oath about guns and five core values;
• Student Council accepts Youth Against Crime as their program for oversight responsibility within their school;
• Only senior high schools have the financial rewards program;
• Secondary and elementary schools will have special certificates of recognition for their support and also for special acts of kindness;
• Schools will put up posters about Youth Against Crime;
• Schools have poster contests with special awards to winners;
• In elementary schools emphasis placed on recognition for their good deeds and students' progress is charted;
• Principals make weekly announcements about supporting the Youth Against Crime program;
• When possible, promote successes of program - not names of students who participated;
• Handouts are given to the students to take home to their parents. Parents will read about how the schools are working to make their location a safe place for their children and how parents can be supportive of the program;
• Quarterly evaluations by Crime Stoppers, school and foundation grant staff and law enforcement to evaluate the progress of the program; and
• Next Spring seven county wide conference for students about what they can do to support Youth Against Crime and make their school safer. Two representatives from each school.

Implement Youth Against Crime Program in each of the seven metropolitan counties school districts:

• Work with Bloomington school staff to identify contacts in other school districts;
• Take the Bloomington program implementation for Youth Against Crime and its quarterly evaluations to school boards in each school districts in the seven county metropolitan area;
• Work with police, PTA and school representatives to identify initial schools;
• Recruit and train volunteers;
• Develop appropriate marketing materials;
• Revise plan and materials based upon each systems needs;
• Meet with principals, teachers, coordinators and students for training as needed;
• Identify volunteers to target specific school districts for coordination;
• Recruit volunteers to support the program; and
• Develop teen Youth Against Crime Conference for October 2005.

Together, Crime Stoppers Youth Against Crime and the School system will make a difference!

Page Last Updated: 11/30/05 by the Webmasterr