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Updated: 5:43 PM Nov 30, 2011
Crime Stoppers Hits More Electronic Billboards
Many of us drive by them every day: electronic billboards that advertise different products and companies. You may have noticed an advertisement of a different kind: Crime Stoppers 'wanted' mugs.
Posted: 3:26 PM Nov 30, 2011Reporter: Lauren Kravets |
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ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- We continue our coverage on Operation Safer Streets with something we show you every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on 23 News: Crime Stoppers. It turns out the TV may not be the only place you've been noticing its message. 23 News hit the streets and tells us how electronic billboards are helping catch criminals.
Many of us drive by them every day: electronic billboards that advertise different products and companies. You may have noticed an advertisement of a different kind: Crime Stoppers 'wanted' mugs.
Crime Stoppers Coordinator Rich Gambini said, "We keep the pictures out there through the television media and computers and of course now we have this wonderful device electronic billboards."
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Winnebago county now has seven electronic billboards—they added four more a few months ago.
CrimeStoppers will put up suspects in serious crimes like murder. The most recent suspect is Luis Anaya (read more here). Anaya has been wanted for murder since November 12th and Crime Stoppers says it has received tips on Anaya and other suspects because of the billboards.
Gambini said, “We've got people who have been captured and turned in, in fact, out of state also."
Loves Park resident and driver David Nelson notices the billboard while he drives.
Nelson said, “I think anything Crime Stoppers can do to bring their program forward is well worth it. Everybody keep your eyes open and notice these things because it's just something we can do to help."
It's a service that's alerting the community to make it a safer place.
Lamar Advertising installed the billboards and pays for the Crime Stoppers ads to run as a public service.
Here’s what some of you are saying about electronic billboards on Facebook. Elizabeth says she thinks they're a great idea and adds "They provide an opportunity to talk to kids about the consequences of bad choices. My nine-year-old son asked me 'why is that guy's picture up there?'"
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What is Crime Stoppers? The Crime Stoppers Program is managed by the Winnebago County Sheriff's office Crime Stopper Division, which is located in the Public Safety Building. The city of Rockford helps pay part of the operating costs of the Division which is staffed by one full time Deputy who acts as the program coordinator, Richard Gambini, and one full time assistant who is employed by Crime Stoppers. View more information on their website. |
| How does it work? People with information regarding criminal activity and fugitive locations are often reluctant to talk to law enforcement officials because they fear retaliation. The Crime Stoppers Program is designed to protect the identity of callers who are never asked their name when they give information, and we do not use caller ID. The caller is assigned a code number, which is used on the information file, and the referral sheet is forwarded to the appropriate agency for the follow up investigation. Callers also use their code to check on the status of the case, add information to the case, report other criminal activity, and to collect their reward. Crime Stoppers pays a cash reward up to $1,000.00 when an arrest is made or a crime is solved as a result of the caller's information. The amount of payment to the Crime Stopper caller is determined by the program coordinator and the Crime Stoppers Board of Directors who meet twice monthly to set the rewards. |
| $1000 REWARD
Callers with information about crimes can call the special Crime Stoppers phone numbers and anonymously give Crime Stoppers information. Each Caller is assigned a number, and if the tip results in an arrest, a reward will be paid. Rewards of up to $1000 will be presented for information that leads to an arrest. Crime Stoppers never asks your name. We do not have Caller ID. Paydates are twice a month.
QUICK 50 Students attending any school in Winnebago County can call the Crime Stoppers numbers and report any crime that has happened on school property involving students. Call to report any student bringing weapons, drugs or alcohol to school. If the information provided results in an arrest, a suspension or both, the caller will receive a reward of up to $50. View More Information on Their Website |
