Crime Stoppers of Oregon to Dissolve, Board Members Cite Multiple Challenges

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The board of Crime Stoppers of Oregon has decided to dissolve the organization after operating for 43 years. Board members cited declining tip volume, decreasing reward payouts and an aging board as primary reasons for considering closure.

Crime Stoppers of Oregon was created in 1983 to assist local law enforcement and aid community members. Over four decades, the program has worked to help solve crimes and support families across the state.

Henry Groepper, chairman of Crime Stoppers of Oregon, has been part of the organization since its inception. “I have been involved with our Crime Stoppers Program since it was created in 1983,” Groepper said. “I've spent over half my life with Crime Stoppers.”

Groepper detailed the challenges that led to the discussions about ending the program. “Our tips and our rewards continue to decrease,” Groepper said. “Over the years, the Program has gotten smaller, our Board is getting older and we have been discussing dissolving for some time.”

Reflecting on the organization's history, Groepper expressed pride in its work while acknowledging changing circumstances. “It's actually a sad time for me, but times change,” Groepper said. “We want to celebrate and remember our contribution to public safety in Oregon over the last 43 years.”

Groepper added that board members remain appreciative of the impact made over the decades. “We are grateful to have helped families and helped solve crimes,” Groepper said. “It was a good program and our board members are all proud to have been a part of it for all these years.”

Program leaders also noted that managing organizational data has grown increasingly complex. Navigate360, the company that hosts data for Crime Stoppers programs, experienced a data breach in March 2026. Crime Stoppers of Oregon is awaiting a report from Navigate360 to determine the extent of the impact on Oregon Crime Stoppers data.

Navigate360 informed Crime Stoppers of Oregon that following the completion of its investigation, the company can send any notices required to be issued to individuals or regulators.

Crime Stoppers of Oregon wishes to inform our valued tipsters and law enforcement partners that our program will be concluding September 30, 2026.  Crime Stoppers of Oregon began in 1983 and since then has sought to serve the great state of Oregon by being a bridge between anonymous tip reporting and law enforcement investigators.  Over the past 43 years we have received tens of thousands of tips resulting in the apprehension of fleeing felons, locating missing persons, and resolving countless crimes.  To all the tipsters who decided to come forward and provide information, thank you. 

If you have information that needs to be reported, please do so prior to September 30, 2026, after which submissions will not be accepted.  After September 30, 2026 please report directly to the respective law enforcement agency. 

Crime Stoppers of Oregon wishes to thank all the partners in law enforcement, media, and business that have contributed to the program over the last four decades.  Though Crime Stoppers of Oregon is coming to an end, the impact of the information provided by our tipsters and the work of the law enforcement professionals who acted upon it will remain a lasting part of Oregon’s history.

Thank you all,

Board of Directors

Crime Stoppers of Oregon