University Area Crime Stoppers is an affiliate of Central Ohio Crime Stoppers and is part of an international network of non-profit Crime Stoppers organizations which offer cash rewards for anonymous tips leading to the arrest of indictment of crime suspects.

University Area Crime Stoppers is offering cash rewards of up to $500 for information leading to the arrests or indictments of persons involved in various hate crimes involving destruction of property throughout the University District, both on- and off-campus.

According to University Police, on April 5, 2012, they were notified of a hate crime that occurred at the Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center, 153 West 12th Avenue. Graffiti painted on an outside wall included a racially-motivated phrase. On April 6, 2012, University Police became aware of an additional hate crime that involved racial and religious slurs spray-painted on a mural on the outside of a building located off-campus at East 12th Avenue and North 4th Street in the City of Columbus.

Further, on April 16, 2012, University Police became aware of two hate crimes, one on campus and one off campus. University Police were notified that a racial slur was painted on the side of a dumpster located in Pearl Alley on the north side of East 13th Avenue. This crime occurred in a student residential area (off campus) in the City of Columbus. University Police are working with the City of Columbus Division of Police to address this issue.

The second incident occurred in a South residence hall. Racial and religious slurs were written on a residence hall door. This incident is being investigated by University Police. “These incidents are offensive, cause considerable damage, and must stop. We are seeking the public’s help in gathering information about the perpetrators of these heinous crimes,” said Ellen Moore, president of the University Area Crime Stoppers organization.

Anyone with information about these hate crimes is asked to call the University Area Crime Stoppers at 614.246.TIPS (8477). University Area Crime Stoppers has posted a reward of up to $500 for any information. All calls and tops remain anonymous. Crime Stoppers does not use Caller ID, nor does it seek the identity of the caller. A special coding system protects the identity of the caller.

University Area Crime Stoppers is an affiliate of Central Ohio Crime Stoppers and is part of an international network of non-profit Crime Stoppers organizations which offer cash rewards for anonymous tips leading to the arrest of indictment of crime suspects.

University Area Crime Stoppers also takes calls from persons with information about any crime on- and off-campus in the university area. Persons with information about felony crimes in the wider Columbus community should call Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 461.TIPS (8477).

Information leading to the arrest and indictment of a crime suspect could qualify the caller for a reward as determined by the University Area Crime Stoppers Board or by the Central Ohio Crime Stoppers Reward Committee. Reward money comes from private individuals, businesses and foundations that see Crime Stoppers as an integral tool in the community’s fight against crime.