Law enforcement put up posters of wanted criminals
By: Heather Sawaski
Updated: February 5, 2013
BROWN COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) - Pay up or your picture will be put on display. Starting this week, De Pere Police will plaster posters of people with outstanding warrants on local gas stations and storefronts.
Officer Jedd Bradley said there are hundreds in the city and more than 6,000 active warrants in Brown County.
"That's anything from a domestic violence battery to a misdemeanor speeding ticket," Officer Bradley said. "These are people that have not shown up for court or they refuse to show up to court."
Now the department is looking to the public to help.
"These people are still living in our society," said Officer Bradley. "They're still living in our neighborhoods and they are wanted people by the courts. Some of them are out committing crimes yet, on top of what they've done before."
The pictures are going to neighborhood watch groups and will eventually be on billboards. You can also see them on the green bay area Crime Stoppers website.
"What Crime Stoppers does is offer the anonymity if people want to leave a tip without leaving their name and information so they can feel safe," said Green Bay Area Crime Stopper President Hans Lux. "If they just want to do their civic duty to have these people picked up and pay for the crime they've committed."
Though the effort is starting in De Pere, leaders hope to expand into neighboring communities in the near future.
"We're going to give these people in De Pere a few months to pay their bill," added Officer Bradley. "So consider it a warning. But if you don't come in and take care of this, we will come and get you."
