This Crime Stoppers Program began in 1982 from the efforts of the City of Bartow and the Bartow Police Department.  The program grew to cover all of Polk County and in 1994, the program was incorporated as Polk County Crime Stoppers, Inc. , a recognized 501C(3) organization.

The program continued to grow to include all of Hardee and Highlands Counties. With that growth, we are now known as Heartland Crime Stoppers to reflect the three (3) counties in the heartland of Florida.

Heartland Crime Stoppers is an independant organization which is governed by a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors oversees all financial and business matters relating to the organization. The Board of Directors also approves and determines monetary rewards for tips which resulted an arrest, the recovery of stolen property, or the recovery of illegal drugs/narcotics.

Through a combination of efforts by local media, businesses, civic and social clubs, law enforcement agencies, and the public, The Crime Stopper Program has proved to be an effective tool in fighting crime and identifying criminals in Polk, Hardee, and Highlands Counties.

To increase the safety and quality of life of the residents in Polk, Hardee and Highlands Counties by offering a way for citizens to anonymously report criminal activity
 or identify persons committing criminal acts, without fear of reprisals, and offering cash rewards for those tips which resulted in an arrest, the recovery of stolen
 property, or the recovery of illegal drugs.