PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Law enforcement says when it comes to solving crime no tip is too big or too small, and the only bad tips are ones that don’t get shared.
From burglaries, to homicides, there are dozens of crimes still waiting to be solved.
“From cold cases all the way up to current cases, we know a lot of our crimes happen in front of numerous people so someone knows something,” said Suffolk Police Detective Shelly Koziana said.
It’s what someone does with what they know that can make all the difference. That’s why the Suffolk and Newport News police departments use crime tip lines. You can download the P3tips app or call 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, but oftentimes, people aren’t using those tools.
“Sometimes I know people feel like, ‘Chief, this is something small, probably doesn’t matter, but it’s like pieces of a puzzle and that may be the one piece that we’re looking for,” said Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew.
They’re pieces that can solve crimes, like the two separate shootings back in September in Newport News that claimed the lives of two teenagers. That case remains unsolved.
“On both of those occasions, there were individuals that were out in the community,” Drew said. “There were individuals that we know saw things.”
Suffolk detectives are looking for suspects in a September shooting that left two dead and three others in the hospital. Police are counting on residents to help them build a safer community.
“We’ve had homicides happen in front of 20 people and no one knows anything,” Koziana said, “and until it happens to them I do believe that would be the change unfortunately.”
You can make a difference before then.
“Our tip line, the Crime Solvers, you’re just given a number,” Drew said. “You don’t even have to provide your name. I’m not even asking you to walk into a courtroom to testify, I’m just asking to give us some information that could steer us in the right direction.”
All tips submitted will be anonymous. You will be given an identification number when you submit, but you never have to give your name. Your tips could even land you cash rewards. To find out more information about the Virginia Peninsula Crime Line click here. To find out more about the Suffolk Crime Line click here. You can call 1-888-LOCK-U-UP or download the P3 tips app.