You've probably heard the number "330-746-CLUE" said many times on our 21 News newscasts.  That's the number cops want you to call if you know about any crimes.

But what happens when you call? Are you anonymous? Is there a reward? and does it work?

330-746 CLUE has helped police solve thousands of cases since its inception in the early 1980's.

"Someone out there almost always knows some aspect of the case even if they think it's small to our investigators it could be the key piece that solidifies an arrest or conviction," said Capt. Jason Simon of the Youngstown Police Department.

When there's fear of retaliation that's why crimestoppers was created. it's totally anonymous.

"At no time have we ever given up any of our sources. None of it is recorded," said Rick Alli, who has worked with Crimestoppers for over 30 years and is now the police chief in Lowellville.

So how does it work?

"You're going to talk to someone from help hotline. they are going to take whatever information you're willing to give. They are not going to probe or dig deeper," said Simon.

Then they will assign you an anonymous number. No names are used. If your information leads to an arrest or conviction of a suspect you can use that number to identify yourself in case there is a cash reward available.

People who live in the city are normally tight-lipped when it comes to helping police solve crimes they don't want to be known as a "rat."

"That culture of not being a rat...a lot of people are told that by the those involved, the criminals themselves. They are the ones who need that and have people in fear," said Alli.

Tips can range with simple information about drug house or as serious as murders.

"If you want justice by the criminal justice system you need to say something. If you know something you need to say something. That's the way you'll get it without any kind of backlash and Crimestoppers is that vehicle," added Alli.