By: Joe Strupp In Newport News, Va., the newest law-enforcement tool isn't the latest handgun or upgraded computer system. It's the local newspaper. In just three days in early December, police arrested 127 suspects ? on warrants ranging from murder to insurance fraud ? after running a two-page ad in The Daily Press of Newport News. It listed the names of 3,937 people with outstanding warrants, some dating back as far back as 1992.
Dozens of "fugitives" surrendered after reading about themselves in the Dec. 6 ad. Police Chief James Fox came up with the idea, which cost about $6,000, to reduce a backlog of cases. "We had a lot of warrants on file, and this was a way to send a message," Fox told E&P. "It was the talk of the town."
In addition, police were concerned that many of the suspects were still committing crimes. A federal Safe Neighborhood Project grant covered the ad's cost. Fred Penfield, Daily Press classified advertising manager, said police created the ad and it ran without changes.
A total of 381 calls came into the department as a result of the advertisement, said police spokesman Lou Thurston. "One man wanted for robbery was identified by someone who was living in his building, in another apartment," he noted. At least three people with names identical to those listed responded to make sure police knew they were not wanted.
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