INTERVIEW: Laverne Manolovitz, Coordinator Tacoma/Pierce County Crime Stoppers

LYNN: Tell us what your position is and how you support Crime Stoppers.

LAVERNE: As the Crime Stoppers Coordinator, my role is to manage the full operation of the program. That includes receiving and processing tips, overseeing our social media and website, and working closely with local law enforcement to ensure information is shared effectively and responsibly. I also handle the day-to-day business of the organization, making sure everything runs smoothly so the focus stays on supporting investigations and keeping the community engaged.

LYNN: What brought you to Crime Stoppers?

LAVERNE: I have always felt pulled toward work that serves the community, and law enforcement does that in a very tangible way. I’m especially drawn to the problem-solving side, how pieces of information come together to solve crimes. As the Crime Stoppers Coordinator, I get to help bridge the gap between the community and law enforcement in a way that really makes a difference.

LYNN: Where do you get your initial information about the crimes, and who selects the crime you feature?

LAVERNE: Much of the initial information comes from tips and from ongoing collaboration with local law enforcement. I research cases and work closely with the investigators to select which ones to feature, looking for situations where sharing information publicly could help move the case forward while also ensuring that anything we share publicly supports the investigation and protects its integrity.

LYNN: Tipsters can receive $1,000 for a tip. Where does that money come from, and how does an individual qualify for it?

LAVERNE: Reward funds are made possible entirely through private donations from concerned citizens and local businesses as well as through fundraising efforts. Crime Stoppers does not receive any government funding, so the program is truly supported by the community it serves.

LYNN: It appears you feature a broad range of crimes on your website. What crimes and/or situations would preclude them from being featured?

LAVERNE: We concentrate mainly on felony cases, as our reward system is tied to outcomes. A reward is issued once an arrest is made and felony charges are formally filed, so our focus is on cases where tips can lead to that level of resolution.

LYNN: Do you have formal relationships with different law enforcement agencies? If so, how and in what ways do you interface with them?

LAVERNE: Crime Stoppers has established relationships with all law enforcement agencies within Pierce County. As coordinator, I interface with investigators, exchanging information, and helping to ensure that community tips are directed where they can do the most good.

LYNN: Can you explain in detail how your tip line functions and how tips get to law enforcement?

LAVERNE: The P3 Tips App is a multi-lingual, secure, anonymous, and efficient means of safely communicating with Crime Stoppers through a downloadable mobile app, a 24/7 phone line answered by a trained operator, or an internet-based system. The P3 Tips app is also used by many of our national affiliates. All tips are submitted anonymously and then securely distributed to coordinators. Each tipster receives a unique identifier, which is the only way to reference their tip, communicate additional information, check the status of an investigation, or learn if a reward has been authorized. From there, I research each tip. When it pertains to an active or relevant case, I forward the information to the appropriate law enforcement agency so it can be reviewed and acted on as part of the investigation.

LYNN: Please explain your organizational structure and how the board functions.

LAVERNE: Crime Stoppers is governed by a volunteer board made up of approximately 15-20 community members from a wide range of professional and personal backgrounds. The board is overseen by a director, and all board members serve as voting members. They are responsible for the governance and financial stewardship of the program by providing strategic direction, ensuring compliance with bylaws, and upholding the organization’s mission, vision, and values. Board members participate in budgeting, fundraising, and promotional efforts. They provide financial oversight to ensure the responsible use of resources and the long-term sustainability of the program. The coordinator is not a board member and does not have a voting role but is more of an advisory position allowing the position to remain operationally focused while he board maintains governance responsibilities.

LYNN: How do local Crime Stoppers agencies interact with national and international affiliates?

LAVERNE: Crime Stoppers of Tacoma Pierce County maintains active relationships with our national affiliates, which allows agencies to share best practices, stay current on trends, and collaborate with programs across the country. Representatives have the opportunity to attend a national Crime Stoppers USA Conference each year, providing opportunities for training, networking, and learning new strategies to strengthen local programs and better serve communities.

LYNN: Crime Stoppers has some pretty impressive statistics on helping to arrest perpetrators, close cases, and recover drugs, cash, and property. Can you tell us about one that made you feel particularly good?

LAVERNE: Since I have been the coordinator, I have seen Crime Stoppers tips directly contribute to arrests in serious cases, including homicides, fugitives charged with attempted murder, sex offenses, and burglaries. Seeing those outcomes is incredibly meaningful to me as the coordinator, because it means dangerous individuals are removed from the streets and held accountable for their actions. It’s a powerful reminder that community involvement truly makes a difference.

LYNN: What aspect of Crime Stoppers have you been most proud of in working there?

LAVERNE: What I’m most proud of is helping create a safe way for people to speak up. Crime Stoppers gives community members a voice while protecting their anonymity and allows us to help turn information from concerned citizens into real outcomes, arrests, accountability, and safer neighborhoods. This is something I take a lot of pride in.

LYNN: How can people get involved and/or support your work?

LAVERNE: There are several ways people can get involved with or support Crime Stoppers. Community members can submit anonymous tips when they have information about a crime, which is one of the most direct ways to make an impact. Others choose to support the program through financial donations or by participating in fundraising efforts, which help sustain reward funding and operations. People can also help by sharing Crime Stoppers information, promoting cases on social media, and spreading awareness about the program within the community.

LYNN: Many thanks, Laverne. I hope people have learned how easy it is to report a crime without fear of reprisal and help to make a real difference in their communities. Thanks so much for what you do.