WeTip's Contribution to Crime Busting
Web Site in Spotlight After Chandra Levy Tip

Listen to Robert Siegel interview with the creators of WeTip.com

A screen grab from WeTip.com's missing persons page Courtesy WeTip.com

August 2, 2001 -- A little-known Web site garnered a lot of publicity Wednesday for a part it played in the unfolding Chandra Levy/Gary Condit mystery.

Sources say that an anonymous tip to the Web site -- in the form of a detailed message -- alleged that Levy's body could be found under a concrete slab in a southern Virginia town.

No body was found at the site, but the tip led to some intense media coverage. At one point, a television helicopter hovered over the site while dozens of authorities looked for clues below.

Bill and Miriam Brownwell founded WeTip, a non-profit organziation where citizens can report information regarding a crime anonymously by phone or e-mail.

They told NPR's Robert Siegel that WeTip then relays information to the appropriate law enforcement agency. The Bromwells says that citizens fear reprisal from criminals if they report crimes to the police, so they act as the neutral third party.

And they report about 25 arrests a month from their tips, half of which lead to convictions.

Web Resources:

• WeTip.com home page