Saturday, December 14, 2013

U.S. Marshals, FBI, Announce Fugitive Awareness Initiative



Joint Agency Effort Launches Northern California Most Wanted Website

San Francisco, CA – On December 10, 2013, the U.S. Marshals Service Northern District of California, alongside the FBI and the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center (NCRIC), held a press conference to announce the release of www.northerncaliforniamostwanted.org, a website intended to profile fugitives in the Bay Area.

U.S. Marshal Don O’Keefe, alongside FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Johnson and Director of the NCRIC Mike Sena, announced today that the website, which will profile active fugitives either from or thought to be in the Bay Area, is running and ready for public use.

The website, which will be managed by the NCRIC, was a collaborative effort between the three agencies to heighten awareness in the public about the ongoing effort by local, state, and federal agencies to apprehend fugitives. Joining the three federal agencies at the release was Deputy Chief John Loftus of the San Francisco Police Department and Chief Sean Whent of the Oakland Police Department.

“Together with our partner agencies, some of which are here with us today, we are asking the citizens of northern California to log on and view the profiles featured on the site,” said U.S. Marshal Don O’Keefe. “Let me be clear; all of the fugitives profiled here have active warrants for their arrest. Some of these individuals pose a real threat to the safety of our communities, and all of are actively evading detection. We are asking the public’s help in catching these individuals for whom we are looking.”

According to FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Johnson, “The FBI continues to partner with local, state and other federal law enforcement agencies in seeking fugitives. It is no secret the public continues to be a force-multiplier in providing tips which can ultimately lead to the arrest of those who flee from justice. The FBI believes informing and educating people through awareness and outreach can lead to safer communities through a decreased criminal presence.”

The website will include pictures of the wanted individuals, as well as a biographical description and a synopsis of the crime for which they are accused. Any member of the public wishing to submit a tip will be able to do so in a completely anonymous setting.

"We understand and appreciate the often complex and sometimes dangerous position that assisting law enforcement can create for individuals,” said U.S. Marshal Don O’Keefe. “That is why the format for this website allows the public complete anonymity while viewing profiles and submitting tips.”

As well as providing the capability to view profiled fugitives from various agencies, the website is also equipped to accept tips on the whereabouts or activities of wanted fugitives that are not on the site.

Additionally, the website will feature fugitives from any participating NCRIC member agency, which serves law enforcement as an integrated intelligence center. The NCRIC has over 200 participating federal, state, and local partners over 15 counties, from Del Norte County down to Monterey and San Benito Counties.

“The role of the NCRIC is to provide resources in support of federal, state, and local law enforcement efforts throughout Northern California,” said Mike Sena, Director of NCRIC.

For more information about the FBI in San Francisco, visit: http://www.fbi.gov/sanfrancisco/
For more information on the NCRIC, visit: http://www.ncric.org

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.

No comments: