Crime Stoppers of Sangamon and Menard Counties have initiated an increased reward level for tips that lead to the arrest of individuals dealing with Fentanyl. Because of the severity of the crisis that fentanyl availability has created, the Crime Stoppers Board increased the minimum reward for fentanyl tips to $1,500.
Fentanyl is the leading cause of accidental deaths in Illinois and in Sangamon County. In 2023, according to Coroner Jim Allmon, Sangamon County reported 82 drug-related deaths as compared to 2019, when there were only 38. Of that number, 80 percent of the deaths were Fentanyl related.
"Fentanyl is the common denominator in many of these accidental overdoses in Sangamon County," said Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon. "It’s devastating for the families left behind, who are struggling to cope with the sudden loss of a loved one."
Statewide, in 2022, there were 3,261 opioid overdose deaths, which is more than twice the number of fatal motor vehicle accidents and more than twice the number of homicides. Since 2013, statewide opioid overdose deaths have increased by 3,341 percent, while heroin overdose deaths have decreased by 9.9 percent, according to statistics compiled by the Illinois Department of Public"Health.
"Our goal with this initiative is to remove distributors of Fentanyl, interrupt the supply of the drug, and, hopefully, save the lives of our residents,” said Officer Chris Jones, Crime Stoppers Coordinator. "We hope to engage people in Sangamon and Menard Counties to help us get the dealers of this exceedingly dangerous drug off our streets and make our neighborhoods safer.'
Crime Stoppers is a nonprofit organization funded entirely by fundraisers and donations from citizens and civic organizations. Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards up to $2,500 for information resulting in an arrest, and you remain completely anonymous. If you have any information about a crime, please call Crime Stoppers at (217) 788-8427 or connect with their website at www.cashfortips.us.
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