LCSO kicks off anonymous letter campaign to combat violence

FORT MYERS, Fla.- Deputies with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office are taking part in a new effort aimed at increasing the number of crime-related tips received from the community.

Starting this week, officials working around the Dunbar area of Fort Myers will begin handing out postage-paid envelopes pre-addressed to Sheriff Mike Scott with a blank piece of paper inside where residents can write out any information they’d like to give authorities. The envelopes can be dropped off at any mailbox, keeping tipsters anonymous.

“When reminded of the fact that the Crime Stoppers hotline is completely anonymous, I have even had folks say that they don’t trust that option either,” said Sheriff Scott.

Scott says “Operation No More Excuses” is just one of a variety of community outreach initiatives the sheriff’s office is working on to increase trust and communication with residents.

“Refusing to share information regarding the rampant violence directly and indirectly tied to the Dunbar community is unacceptable,” said Scott. “I continue to hear excuses like ‘fear of retaliation’ and ‘distrust of law enforcement.'”

Residents in the Dunbar area have mixed feelings about the campaign.

“It’s gonna be difficult though to try to get the person that sent the envelope in to come forward and be a witness against the person that they saw actually commit the crime,” said resident Joe Howard.

Scott says the purpose of the tips is not to get witnesses, but to lead officers to evidence they can use. Deputies will hand out the envelopes to residents on the streets or during calls for service.