Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office launches ‘unsolved crimes page’ to help identify criminals
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FLV) – Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced a new initiative called the “unsolved crimes page” to partner with the public to help identify suspects.
The unsolved crimes page changes the process of solving crimes and identifying criminals by publicly showing photos and videos of unidentified suspects on the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office website.
“You rely on this agency to assist you in your time of need and likewise, our agency relies on our community,” Jacksonville sheriff T.K. Waters said.
Waters said the unsolved crimes page came from the “realization” that public involvement could help solve crimes.
In the past, Waters said these investigations “went cold” and suspect identification could not be made because the photographs and videos would “never be seen by the public.”
“The unsolved crimes page will change that process and revolutionize the way that the public can help get justice for crime victims effective immediately,” Waters said.
Citizens can access the unsolved crimes page 24/7 and review the photographs and videos. Waters said when citizens recognize the suspect from photographs or videos associated with an unsolved crime, that person can send a tip to police with the “touch of a button” anonymously.
“The unsolved crimes page is a natural way that this agency can marry the use of technology and community policing to hold offenders accountable,” Waters said.
Waters encouraged the community to visit the site “often” because it will be updated daily and said how “important” community policing is in helping officers identify suspects.
“Crime victims deserve justice. It is our hope that our engaged community will regularly access this page to help us solve crime that in the past, might not have had a high degree of solvability,” Waters said. “To the public with whom we are charged to serve, you can make a real difference in the life of a person in our community who has been victimized by crime.”
