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Crimestoppers: The Legitimation of Snitching

NCJ Number
141964
Journal
Justice Quarterly Volume: 9 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1992) Pages: 505-528
Author(s)
E H Pfuhl Jr
Date Published
1992
Length
24 pages
Annotation
Using a social constructionist perspective, this paper analyzes the acceptance of the Crimestoppers program and its rapid rise in popularity despite well-established moral opposition to snitching and snitches and despite a general public reluctance to become involved in police matters.
Abstract
Crimestoppers relies on anonymous citizens' informing to police in return for cash rewards. These programs are currently privately funded operations that are initiated by citizens' groups and limited to the municipal and county levels. The analysis used information from published materials on Crimestoppers, interviews with civilian board members of one Crimestoppers program, interviews with law enforcement officials responsible for these programs in four western cities, interviews with television media personnel directly involved with the program in one city, and telephone interviews of 14 anonymous civilian informers who responded to newspaper advertisements. Results indicated that this program has received public acceptance as a result of a general public pessimism and fear of crime, as well as the stereotyping of criminals and the program's instrumental and pragmatic nature. Other factors have included the appeal of localism and the roles of the media and the police in promoting the program. Footnotes and 83 references (Author abstract modified)

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