FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers receives about 300 to 400 tips a month about various investigations, incidents, or concerns. While every tip submitted to Crime Stoppers or local agencies are valued, police say there's more the public can do or say to help them protect communities around the county.
"It's so important to be aware of what's going on around you," says Trish Routte with SWFL Crimestoppers. "No one every thinks it could happen in their community because they live in a nice area, but it doesn't matter if you live in gated communities, it doesn't matter if you're shopping at the finest stores. There have been shootings, violent incidents that have happened in very public places."
There have been several incidents where violent crimes have taken communities by surprise, but there have also been recent operations like "Operation Great Lakes" that have taken multiple suspected criminals allegedly involved in gang-type activity off the streets.
Lt. Jay Rodriguez with Fort Myers Police Department says every tip received is helpful but there are critical clues many eye witnesses may not think of paying attention to that may be helpful clues for investigators.
"What they were wearing, their face, height, weight, etc that's important but also scars, marks, or tattoos are usually hard to change, we look for that," Lt. Rodriguez said. "Actions or what they said, how they said it, all that is evidence and all that helps us, helps you make a good witness."
Lt. Rodriguez with Fort Myer Police says there are still several active investigations where people can still submit a tip anonymously.
"To have an actual person be able to say, 'I saw this person do that at this time at this location,' or I saw this person leaving the scene of the crime is huge," Rodriguez said.
"The more people provide information, the more people we're going to put in jail, the safer our community is going to be," Routte said.
If you would like to submit a tip anonymously click here, or call 1-800-780-TIPS.
