H-S Web site will aid state police in tracking felons
The state police, in cooperation with the Herald-Standard’s Web site, heraldstandard.com, have a new feature to help identify people wanted for various crimes. On the left side of the Web page is a link to “state police videos, pics and more” which shows photographs and videos of wanted people – and asks for the public’s help in identifying and locating them.
Attached to posts are a contact number for the appropriate contact person at the barracks, Cpl. Juan Curry said.
“It’s to help the public help us,” Curry said, noting that people can tip off police anonymously.
Currently on the site are pictures of two men wanted for fraudulently using a credit card at Wal-Mart in Connellsville to buy a pre-paid phone card on Aug. 22.
Three different photos show the men in the store and walking out.
Curry said police would continue to update the site as they receive more still photos and video clips.
He said police have had success with warrant lists and the 10 Most-Wanted that appear on the Web site.
“Wanted people will call themselves, or friends will call about friends. People browse through the names, and we’re looking for any additional assistance we can get,” Curry said.
Val J. Laub, publisher of the Herald-Standard, and Joanne Hunt, interactive sales director, said that they are glad to help police keep the community safer by publicizing information about people wanted for crimes.
“We have common goals to protect the community,” Laub said. “We serve by providing information that is useful in offering a service that enables our citizens to live peaceful lives. We admire our local and state police forces and are committed to do everything we can to help them do their job.
Hunt said she looks forward to a continuing involvement with police.
“As we continue to evolve heraldstandard.com into an interactive site that not only keeps our readers informed, but allows them to utilize information provided for the greater good, this additional component from the state police is very important,” she said.