County sheriff takes fighting crime to the Web
The Putnam County Sheriff's Department is turning to the community for help in jumpstarting stalled investigations or solving some old crimes.
A Web site has been established listing the 10 most wanted criminals in Putnam County.
Sheriff Steve Fenwick and his department want the public to know its help is valued.
"If you have witnessed a crime or know of criminal activity, we would appreciate your information," Fenwick said.
The Sheriff's Department looked to the prosecutor's office for input on which criminals should be featured on the site. There were a few offenders it said had to be included.
These lawbreakers have committed serious crimes with victims.
Although some of the crimes are for non-payment of child support, "no one case is any more important than the next," said Captain Joe Myers with the Sheriff's Department.
Any information supplied to the Sheriff's Department will be confidential. Anonymous e-mails can be submitted through the site -- www.putnam-sheriff.org
Residents can also call 653-5115 to report a wanted criminal's location. The community is urged not to try and apprehend a suspect wanted by the police.
In addition to the above Web site, the 10 most wanted list can be accessed through the Banner Graphic's Marketplace. To access Marketplace, key in www.bannergraphic.com into the Web's browser and click on the Marketplace ad.
Photos of the suspects can be viewed, in hopes someone knows the suspect.
These types of Web sites are used by every sheriff's office, but the success rate is unknown.
"We got to do whatever we got to do (to get these offenders off the street)," noted Myers.
"This new site is one more way the Sheriff's Department can reach the public," said Sheriff Fenwick. "We have already extended our administration hours to include Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon, and now the public can look up information Online 24 hours a day."
The site will be continually updated.