BY CAROLYN P. SMITH - News-Democrat
EAST ST. LOUIS -- Two top guns in law enforcement hope the public will assist them in getting bad guys off the street by anonymously filling out tip forms or coupons, or by calling into with information about criminals.
U.S. Attorney A. Courtney Cox has been in and around the metro-east at various events listening to residents tell him about the violence in their neighborhoods and asking him to get more involved.
"We don't want to have a long hot summer on our hands full of crime," Cox said. "So, we hope that the citizens will help us fight crime by providing us with information about crime in their neighborhoods.
"I've been coming out because I want the people to know that we are not just sitting behind our desks. We are listening to and hearing their plea for us to be involved to help stop the senseless crime."
St. Clair County Sheriff Mearl Justus echoed Cox's comments.
"The community has to be involved to reduce crime," Justus said.
Justus said his department uses a coupon and the "Dime Line" that residents can call anonymously to report illegal gang and drug activity.
Cox said he and his staff are involved because they are trying to reduce crime in East St. Louis and its surrounding communities. Cox is using a tool used in the 1990s called "Red Forms."
"They are called red forms because the paper is red," Cox said.
The forms are being distributed through the East St. Louis area, along with self-addressed, postage-free envelopes. Citizens should call 628-3700 to obtain the form.
"We plan to distribute these forms through some of the area churches and are in the process of distributing them throughout the community," Cox said.
In addition to mailing these forms to me, residents who want to help reduce crime can call the St. Clair County Sheriff's Dime Line at 800-640-3463 or send the information to the Crime Coupon
Justus said the Dime Line has been in existence for 15 years.
"It's been very worthwhile," Justus said. "The coupon has been around for 10-12 years. We print it in the newspapers. People in the community fill it out. All information is kept confidential. We get complaints on illegal drug and gang activity, environmental issues, illegal dumping and other illegal things."
Justus started the Dime Line and the coupon because "I knew there had to be a way for people to get involved and report the things that are not legal without them being fearful of their identity being found out."
"As U.S. attorney, I really appreciate our partnership with Sheriff Mearl Justus and the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department in this initiative," Cox said.
