Facebook video causes crime concern in Fort Myers

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FORT MYERS – One man is causing a commotion on social media, urging people to rob the rich in Southwest Florida.

In a video with thousands of views, the man expresses he’s sick of crime in the Dunbar area of Fort Myers. He encourages others to stop stealing from the poor and target people along McGregor Boulevard instead. The man, Todd Chrisp, told our partners at the News-press, his message is still the same, but his execution wasn’t the best.

After he posted the video on Facebook, Fort Myers Police sent a warning email to McGregor neighbors; not because of the video, but because of the person in the video.

WINK News found Chrisp has 23 charges on file in Lee County in the past 20 years.

“I don’t feel that anyone should take anybody hard-earned working belongings,” he told the News-press.

Chrisp says he was not advocating violence against people who live off McGregor Boulevard. He says he wanted to spark conversation about Dunbar crime and what, he says, is an unwillingness of law enforcement to do anything about it.

The message, however, and Chrisp’s lengthy record caused FMPD to send out an email to McGregor neighbors, telling them to keep their eyes peeled for suspicious activity.

“I think the guy’s heart means well, but I think he’s going about it the wrong way,” said Bob Blanchard, a McGregor neighbor.

Chrisp’s 12-year-old niece was shot last month in Fort Myers; police have not made any arrests.

“Something needs to be done over there,” Blanchard said, “but the way he’s going about trying to divide us against them, to me, is wrong.”

Chrisp’s rant has thousands of views on Facebook, but Blanchard says he should take a different approach.

“If you got problems with the city and the police department, don’t do it on social media because it’ll all come back to haunt you,” he said.

FMPD confirmed they sent a letter to residents near McGregor Boulevard. There was no mention of increased patrol in the Dunbar neighborhood.
Chrisp denied our request for an interview.

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