Green Bay Crime Stoppers Makes History as First in Nation to Earn Top Honor

A Historic First for a Wisconsin Nonprofit

Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers has become the first Crime Stoppers program in the entire nation to receive the "Standard of Excellence" award — a milestone that puts this Wisconsin nonprofit on the national map in a big way. The announcement came on October 23, marking a proud moment not just for Green Bay, but for the broader mission of community-driven crime prevention across the country.

It marks the third time the non-profit has received national recognition from Crime Stoppers USA in just the last five years. That's a remarkable streak for a volunteer-led organization operating in a mid-sized Midwestern city, and it signals that what Green Bay is doing is working — and worth paying attention to.

Building on a Record of Recognition

The latest Standard of Excellence Award now joins the Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers' awards for its Students Stopping Crime school mats program and Illegal Firearms mats program, making the Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers one of the most recognized Crime Stoppers programs across the country. These aren't just trophies on a shelf — each honored program represents a targeted strategy to connect communities with law enforcement in practical, accessible ways.

Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers is a nonprofit organization led by a volunteer board of directors, working in partnership with law enforcement, local media, and the public. That three-way partnership is central to how the program functions and why it has managed to stand out among hundreds of similar organizations operating independently across the United States.

Anonymous Tips, Real Results

Crime Stoppers works with local law enforcement, giving the people they serve an easy way to submit tips and help solve crimes anonymously. "People are starting to recognize that they have the ability to provide information to us on an anonymous basis that then goes to law enforcement and then helps law enforcement solve the crime. It makes the community safer, the citizens are taking into this process itself, and it makes a stronger community," said Hans Lex, a coordinator with the Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers.

The anonymity factor is key. Many people who witness criminal activity stay silent out of fear — fear of retaliation, fear of getting involved, or simply not knowing who to call. Crime Stoppers removes those barriers, giving ordinary residents a low-risk way to make a real difference. That model, when executed well, turns passive bystanders into active participants in public safety.

What This Means for the Broader Movement

Organizers called it a major accomplishment not only for Green Bay, but also for helping spread the word about Crime Stoppers nationwide. "Crime Stoppers organizations across the country are all independent. We're not one big organization," said Cheryl Sinacola, CSUSA Chairperson, noting that training is "super important" given that every state operates differently.

Bill Morgan, the President of the Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers Board of Directors, says, "This recognition reflects the dedication of everyone who has helped build Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers into the program it is today." That dedication, built over years of community outreach, volunteer hours, and law enforcement collaboration, is now being held up as a national benchmark. As other Crime Stoppers programs look to raise their own standards, Green Bay's model offers a compelling blueprint — proof that a committed local organization can lead the way for an entire country.