For more than four decades, members of local crime stopper groups have worked to help thwart illegal activity in the area. Two police chiefs started groups in the valley in 1980 after seeing the success of similar organizations in Albuquerque, N.M.
The two original groups were the Indio Crime Stoppers and the Palm Springs Crime Stoppers. They have since merged into the Coachella Valley Crime Stoppers, and Greg Hough serves as its president, having risen up the ranks after starting as a secretary.
“In 1980, here come the crime stoppers,” he said in the interview. “I was contacted by the police chief and asked to serve. I had something to give people.”
In an interview, he noted that he was working as an insurance agent and had to review theft claims. Often, clients would know who was behind the theft but were worried about their safety or retribution if they identified the perpetrators. That drove his involvement with the organization.
“We collect information from the public and relay it onto the police on an anonymous basis,” he said in an interview.
Over the years, the calls have evolved. Hough noted in the interview that in the early days, calls mostly dealt with stolen cars and marijuana growing operations. Today, the calls include major crimes such as drug sales, murder, theft and assault.
“We solve a lot of stuff,” he said.
Hough recounted a tip concerning an investigation of a 2021 hit-and-run accident in Desert Hot Springs. Officers were not getting anywhere when a tip came in that helped them track down a vehicle matching the description of the car involved in the accident at a local repair shop.
“The car was in a body shop being repaired and repainted,” Hough said in the interview. “We kind of caught the guy red-handed.”
However, the crime stoppers’ phone line isn’t for emergencies, nor are they connected to the police. They simply relay tips anonymously to authorities in the region. Rewards can vary and can range from $200 to $2,000. Hough noted the organization is a non-profit and hosts an annual golf outing to raise funds. It also accepts donations.
Hough outlined just how the group can provide the cloak of anonymity. Callers are asked some general questions and are then asked for a number, which is associated with the tip. That is all the information that crime stoppers ever receive about the caller. Since they can’t contact them, Hough encourages callers to call back to see if they are eligible for a reward.
If a reward is issued, Hough will meet the individual at a public location, describing his attire. He then passes the person an envelope and offers his thanks for the tip. He said a lot of callers aren’t concerned about rewards and just want to clean up local streets of crime.
“Many times, they just want to get the guy,” Hough said. “They just want to get the bad guy and if you get the police, that is public record.”
The organization, according to Hough, also works to increase its profile by appearing with police at local events.
“People will say that they didn’t even know we existed,” he said.
