Senator Moody introduces bill to protect anonymity in crime stoppers rewards

Senator Ashley Moody rolled out new federal legislation today aimed at helping citizens report crimes while staying anonymous—even when collecting rewards for tips that lead to arrests.

During a Crime Prevention Month event in Tampa, Moody gathered with law enforcement officials from across the Tampa Bay region, including Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputies. She highlighted her push to empower ordinary people to assist police, building on what the FBI recently reported as a historic drop in violent crime nationwide.

"It's vital that citizens are empowered to help fight crime," Moody said, referencing her work creating Florida's **TIPS statewide tip hotline when she served as Attorney General. Her new bill, she said, would let people collect reward money for helping officers make arrests without having to give up their anonymity.

The legislation has backing from major law enforcement groups including the Florida Association of Crime Stoppers, Florida Sheriffs Association, the Southeastern Crime Stoppers Association, and the National Fraternal Order of Police. According to Crime Stoppers officials, the bill addresses a federal reporting requirement that can complicate anonymous cash reward payments—a challenge that's emerged over 50 years of operating tip programs across multiple states.