Last month, an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi provided the precise location of murder suspect William “Billy” Sinclair, who had been on the run for two days.
Kauaʻi Police Chief Rudy Tai said during the July 7 meeting of the Kīlauea Neighborhood Association that the tip included video evidence, which helped officers surround the area by Kapaʻa Public Library and take Sinclair into custody to end the manhunt.
That is just one of the many tips to Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi, a nonprofit program that has helped police solve crimes and hold offenders accountable, said Ani Turner, information and education specialist with the department.
Since July 2025, Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi has received 179 tips, including 69 tips this year.
In March, an anonymous Crime Stoppers tip led officers to the location of a wanted individual. Police confirmed the suspect had an outstanding $10,000 warrant before making an arrest.
In April, a tipster submitted video evidence related to a crime. Detectives used the footage to identify those involved, gathered additional statements during the investigation, and ultimately made an arrest.
Officials said these cases highlight how timely public information can significantly assist investigations and lead to successful arrests.
The Crime Stoppers program is meant to “encourage positive relationships built on trust between residents and the Kauaʻi Police Department,” said Turner. “In turn, residents who feel trust in KPD will be more willing to report incidents to the police with the intention of helping to reduce crime in our local community.”
Unlike public accusations or social media speculation, Crime Stoppers allows residents to provide information anonymously.
Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi also provides financial rewards for information that leads to the arrest of a suspect or fugitive, the recovery of stolen property, or the seizure of illegal narcotics.
The reward fund is supported entirely through contributions from the community.
To qualify for a reward, tipsters must submit information directly to Crime Stoppers by calling the number directly, using the P3 Tips mobile app, or submitting a report via the Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi website, where every tip is logged and recorded.
Calling 911 does not qualify as a tip for a Crime Stoppers reward, although emergencies and crimes in progress should always be reported immediately.
Officials also emphasized that anonymity is central to the program, and tipsters are never asked to provide their names. Instead, “each tip is assigned a tracking number, and this is used for all correspondence,” Turner explained.
Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi also asks residents not to submit tips through its Facebook or Instagram pages because doing so could compromise anonymity and prevent proper documentation of the information.
Once a credible tip is received, it is forwarded to the appropriate division within the Kauaʻi Police Department for investigation. Detectives evaluate the information, conduct follow-up inquiries and determine whether the information leads to an arrest or prosecution.
The program encourage community members to see themselves as part of a collective effort in fighting crime and to share responsibility for it.
“This is very different from ‘snitching’ because it encourages people to trust one another and support one another in order to achieve a common goal of feeling safe in the places where we live,” Turner said.
Residents are encouraged to save the Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi phone number on their phones to quickly report suspicious activity or provide information on the whereabouts of wanted individuals.
Officials also recommend following Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi on social media to stay informed about wanted suspects and ongoing public safety alerts.
“Saving the CrimeStoppers Kauaʻi number to their cell phone is a great way to participate in crime reporting,” Turner added. “Kauai’s residents can build safer communities by participating in safety initiatives offered by local law enforcement.”
To anonymously report a tip to CrimeStoppers Kauaʻi, call 808-246-8300 or click here to report a crime.
