Waco Crime Stoppers Inc began in Waco-McLennan Co in March of 1981 and was one of the first programs in Texas. The concept was (and still is today) the use of three important components, the press, the public and the police.

If the police have an unsolved crime or a fugitive and leads or no longer coming in they turn to Crime Stoppers. Crime Stoppers through the press "advertise" the crime by either showing footage of the crime, or through a reenactment. If it's a fugitive, his or her picture is shown. Then Crime Stoppers ask the public for help solving the crime or locating the fugitive by calling a special phone number 753-HELP where there is no caller ID attached and anonymity is promised along with a cash reward.

KWTX was the pioneer news station for the Waco Crime Stoppers Inc. Every night on the six o'clock news there was the featured "Crime of the Week". In June of 2001 Waco Crime Stoppers Inc. and KWTX News 10 revived the partnership and the Crime Stopper Lotto was invented.

Waco Crimestoppers Inc. presented KWTX News 10 with a plaque for "Outstanding service over the years" during the January 2008 board meeting.

Waco Crime Stoppers was recognized by the Office of the Governor in 2001 for "Board Member of the Year-Kathryn Miller" (a KWTX employee at the time) and for "Best Special Production/PSA" (the Crime Stopper Lotto spot created and exclusively shown on KWTX News 10). In 2002 Waco Crime Stoppers received three state awards "Best Newsprint, Innovative Publicity and Coordinator of the Year" .

For the past five years in a row (2003-2007) Waco Crime Stoppers has received the "Productivity Award for the Most Cases Cleared" for a program serving a population of 200,001-250,000.

Waco Crime Stoppers Inc. won the Television Competition 2007- Best Special Production/Public Service Announcement (it was titled "Reason to Call Crime Stoppers/our future/children) from the Governors Office @ the 20th Annual Texas Crime Stopper Conference:

Waco Crime Stoppers Inc has now been recognized by the Office of the Governor twelve times the past seven years.

For more information on how you can get involved with Waco Crime Stoppers visit their website Waco Crime Stoppers Inc.