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Guam - Crimes like burglaries and theft of property may be on the rise, but so is the community's efforts to address the issue.


It's a growing trend. More residents are turning to social media and posting their home surveillance footage and photos on their personal pages in hopes of exposing thieves and warning neighbors and friends about the dangers that lurk in the night.


But while you're logged on, why not share the information with Guam Crimestoppers?


"Any information that you have with social media you can actually link it with our web page. We do practice the anonymity portion. So we don't see the IP address. Just give us the information," said Office Paul Tapao, the Crimestoppers coordinator. "We've been receiving a lot of tips where people are taking Instagram pages and Facebook pages and they're posting it on the Crimestoppers webpage."


With your help, Officer Tapao says law enforcement can identify suspects quicker and make arrests. Most recently he credits arrests in connection to copper wire thefts, to an online tipster.


"Crimestoppers was really instrumental in that. Again this came into our web page. The tipster utilized our web page and we're still corresponding with the tipsters and getting more information on other crimes. It really is helping. The community is getting more involved we're starting to see a rise in community involvement," he said.


And there's plenty incentive to do your part to keep the community safe. "We encourage that when you use the Crimestoppers program, every time we make an arrest and a conviction, the tipster will receive a cash reward of up to $1,000. It goes through a board. The board reviews the crime. Reviews what happened and then they decide on the payout," he said.


But this is not the only way to help. you can do your part to be your community's very own crime fighter.


"Just be vigilant. Take part of an active community watch within your neighborhood. The Guam Police Department is going to be pushing out more initiatives for the community watch. We're also going to be getting involved with the Mayors Council to help push that out but be on the lookout for community watches in your village and know your neighbors. Help each other out," he said.


If you have any information about any crimes in our community call Guam Crimestoppers at 477-HELP (4357) or visit them online at guam.crimestoppersweb.com.