Every year the Los Angeles Police Department has dozens of unsolved crime cases, either because they can't identify the suspects involved in the incident or because there's not enough information at the scene of the crime.
Fortunately, the police are doing everything that they can to solve the mysteries, including posting Youtube videos of the crime, and then asking if people can identify the criminals in the videos. That's right, the police are asking people like you for help.
The Los Angeles police department is now asking that local residents partner with law enforcement to build safer communities throughout the city. Their website, www.lapdonline.org/solveacrime lists unsolved cases within the past three years, with brief descriptions of the case along with photos and videos.
The only downside of a program like this is that law enforcement agencies and city attorneys may take the tips of ordinary citizens too seriously. A system like this can lead innocent victims to criminal court, where they can be falsely accused of a crime. They may be forced to pay thousands of dollars on a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney when they aren't guilty.
Yet overall, asking for help in a community like Los Angeles, benefits the community and brings about unknown heroes. In addition to commending neighborhood crime solvers, the Los Angeles police officers appreciate that the city has over 3,000 volunteers working for them who donate more than 20,000 hours of service each month. The volunteers do anything from clerical duties, to video surveillance, to detective assistance. Now that's the real definition to dedication for the law.
- Crime Victim Resources (FindLaw)
- Volunteer Opportunities With Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD Website)
