1800-Crime is a tool that promotes citizen participation in the enforcement of security and rule of law.
Problems and Purpose
1800-Crime started in 2009 by the joint initiative of the Ministry of Interior and the Ecuadorian national police and works as a confidential hotline for citizens to provide information about felonies. The purpose of the hotline is to open a pathway for citizens to break their silence and establish direct and safe relationship with the police, thus exercising their rights as contributors to the safety of their communities.
Some examples of information provided are: descriptions of perpetrators, addresses, car plaques, or details about the modus operandi of criminals. The information is then verified and sent to specialized units and investigation may follow. Once the details have been confirmed, a report is issued for the Ministry of Interior, which in turn decides upon the monetary reward to be paid to the denouncer. The service emphasizes its high confidentiality and guarantees the safety both of callers as well as of agents working for the hotline. Over the years, the administration has broad-ended the range of topics for which felonies may be denounced over the hotline, including issues like corruption, organized crime, asset laundering, details on the most wanted criminals, and temporary national emergencies like wildfires.
