User:Ram4656/Crime Report: Most Wanted Bulletin

Crime Report: Most Wanted Bulletin was the first citizen-generated crime fighting publication of its kind that linked law enforcement agencies (local and federal) with citizens to fight crime together in Western Washington. Crime Report: Most Wanted Bulletin was published by Crime Report, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Crime Report: Most Wanted Bulletin attempted to bridge the gap between law enforcement and citizens by publishing information from federal, state, county and city law enforcement agencies and making the information available to the public so citizens could assist law enforcement in locating wanted felons and finding missing children and adults. Crime Report: Most Wanted Bulletin included pictures of felony fugitives, missing children and adults. Each issue also contained pictures of bank robbers captured on camera and articles about crime prevention. The publication was distributed by volunteers in their neighborhoods. The magazine's effectiveness was apparent immediately. According to an October 11, 1992 Seattle Times article, *Forty-five minutes after the issue of Crime Report arrived at a 7-Eleven, calls started coming in to the Seattle/King County Crime Stoppers phone number listed in the publication, and soon the arsonist was back in jail. Rich Moothart, Manager/Investigator for Seattle-King County Crimestoppers (local branch of the international group giving rewards for information leading to arrests of suspected criminals) was quoted as follows, "It's invaluable to us and has helped promote awareness about crime and criminals in general." Another article in the Seattle Times on January 10, 1994 included the following quote: "It's been great for us," said Dave Burroughs, head of the Seattle-area Fugitive Apprehension Team, a Seattle-based group made up of seven investigators from the FBI, Seattle and King County police departments and Department of Corrections. "I just wish they had more money so they could print it more often." Dunlap and Vavrik began as co-editors of the publication, interviewing people in law enforcement and writing most of the articles. They noticed there was little communication between local and federal law enforcement agencies and helped bridge that gap with the publication. Crime Report volunteers distributed the 50,000 issues published each quarter all over Western Washington at convenience stores, groceries, check cashing outlets, senior centers, libraries, government offices and other high traffic locations. After Megan's Law was passed, Crime Report: Most Wanted Bulletin began publishing Sex Offender Notification bulletins for Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders. In 1994 Crime Report was featured in a four-part documentary, entitled Victory over Violence, about how average citizens have fought the war against violent crime in America. The special, narrated by Walter Cronkite, aired several times all over the United States and inspired citizens to make a difference in their communities. Vavrik and Dunlap were also interviewed on local television shows Evening Magazine (hosted by John Curley) and Town Meeting (hosted by Ken Schram) several times. On September 26, 1995, Crime Stoppers International, Inc. awarded Crime Report the 1st Place News Print Award (for non dailies publishing under 100,000 copies). On September 28, 1996, Myrle Carner, Regional Director for Seattle/King County Crime Stopppers, announced that Crime Report's Most Wanted Bulletin received international acclaim for the second year in a row, winning the 1st Place Print Media Special Award (for non daily publications serving populations of over 1 million). At Crime Report's 5th Anniversary Victory Over Crime on October 17, 1997, Dulap and Vavrik were presented with the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) 1996 News Media Award for outstanding community service. The last issue of Crime Report: Most Wanted Bulletin was published in 2000. Dunlap and Vavrik felt their Most Wanted Bulletin had outlived its usefulness due to information becoming readily available to citizens via the Internet. Crime Report: Most Wanted Bulletin inspired communities in other states to publish similar publications. Crime Report: Most Wanted Bulletin was credited with the arrest of over 450 fugitives and assisted in finding over 65 missing children.