In a unique initiative to solve cold cases, Attorney General Ashley Moody, in collaboration with Florida sheriffs and Crime Stoppers, has launched a deck of playing cards featuring unsolved crimes.
Each card showcases a photograph and details of an unsolved homicide or missing person case, aiming to generate new leads and tips from the public.
The cold case playing cards will be distributed in Florida correctional facilities, providing inmates with the opportunity to share any information they may have regarding these cases. The program is inspired by similar successful initiatives in other states that have resulted in breakthroughs in long-standing investigations.
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Attorney General Moody emphasized the importance of community engagement in solving crimes and expressed hope that the playing cards will empower individuals to come forward with information that could help bring closure to victims’ families and hold perpetrators accountable.
“As a former federal prosecutor and now as Attorney General, I have seen so many stalled investigations get new life after someone came forward with groundbreaking information. Sometimes that new information comes from criminals or co-conspirators, who have a change of conscience or maybe they are motivated by a reward. Since taking office, we have launched several innovative initiatives to bolster ongoing efforts to solve cold cases, and today we are taking action to generate even more leads to help law enforcement bring criminals to justice. We are giving Cold Case Cards to inmates, but we are not playing games. This low-tech approach to generating tips may prove to be an ace up the sleeve as we continue to bring finality to seemingly unbreakable cases,” said Moody.
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Florida Association of Crime Stoppers President Frank Brunner said, “The Florida Association of Crime Stoppers, alongside partners including the Florida Attorney General’s Office, the Florida Sheriffs Association, the Florida Department of Corrections, and Season of Justice, a national organization dedicated to solving cold cases, is embarking on a statewide initiative. This effort aims to address some of Florida’s most haunting cold case homicides. By spotlighting these cases within correctional and detention facilities, the collective hope is to generate leads that will aid in solving them, offering much-needed closure to the families and loved ones of the victims.”
Crime Stoppers, a non-profit organization that facilitates anonymous tips, will play a crucial role in collecting and processing information received through the program.
The cold case playing cards initiative represents a renewed commitment to seeking justice for victims of unsolved crimes and highlights the power of collaboration between law enforcement, community organizations, and the public in solving complex cases.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has set up a dedicated website for the cold case playing cards program, providing additional information and a platform for individuals to submit tips.
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