Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi has doubled the maximum reward for anonymous crime tips to $2,000, citing recent cases in which public information helped investigators make arrests and secure evidence.
The nonprofit organization, working in partnership with the Kauaʻi Police Department, announced the increase from $1,000 to $2,000, the first reward increase since Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi was established in 2017.
The higher reward applies to qualifying tips that lead to an arrest, the recovery of stolen property, or the curbing of illegal narcotics trafficking.
Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi said anonymity remains central to its mission, noting that concerns about retaliation often discourage people from reporting criminal activity. The organization said tipsters are never required to reveal their identities or testify in court.
“If you know something, please tell us,” Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi Board President Ron Wiley said in a statement. “No one will know the tip came from you.”
He added: “Please do not assume someone else already called. Make the call.”
Officials also encouraged residents to report suspicious activity observed on social media or other online platforms. Screenshots and video recordings shared can provide valuable evidence, they said.
In June, 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. Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi said tips are monitored around the clock, allowing information to be forwarded to law enforcement within minutes.
In March 2026, a member of the public identified a person wanted on a warrant.
The tipster proactively contacted the Crime Stoppers Kaua’i tip line with the individual’s precise location. Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi then relayed this information to the Kauaʻi Police Department, leading to an arrest.
“Our officers cannot be everywhere, but our community is,” Kauaʻi Police Department Chief Rudy Tai said in a statement. “I saw what this program can do during my career with the San Diego Police Department, where Crime Stoppers tips helped move cases that would otherwise have gone cold. That June arrest happened because one person picked up the phone.
“You may only have one small piece of the puzzle, but that piece may be exactly what our investigators need.”
Officials said even seemingly minor details can prove critical to an investigation.
They added that an online tip submitted to Crime Stoppers Kauʻai earlier this year included a video clip that helped investigators identify those involved and led to a quick arrest.
Residents can submit anonymous tips by the preferred methods: online through the Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi website by clicking here or using the P3 Tips mobile app. Tips also can be called into the organization’s tip line at 808-246-8300.
Authorities reminded the public that emergencies and crimes in progress should be reported by calling 911. Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi is not part of the Kauaʻi Police Department and should not be used to report emergencies or ongoing incidents directly to police.
