The Fort Myers Police Department is offering $5,000 rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction in unsolved homicides and death investigations.

Chief Doug Baker said the reward money is in response to a recent spike in violent crime.

“We need citizens to play an active role in keeping our neighborhoods safe. The cash is extra incentive to get involved,” he said today.

The money will come from the department’s forfeiture fund so money seized from criminals is being used to put criminals in jail, officials said.

In addition to the reward money Baker has also enhanced the department’s Violent Crime Task Force by teaming up with Crime Stoppers for the Gun Bounty program offering cash to tipsters who provide information on anyone in possession of an illegal firearm.

Anyone with information should call FMPD at 321-7700 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS.

Date: Jan. 12, 2009

Victim: Kelly Grant

Location: 3265 Royal Palm Avenue

Date: Jan. 17, 2009

Victim: Eugene Brown

Location: 2909 Blount Street

Date: Feb. 7, 209

Victims: Kems Fortune and John Mathurin

Location: 3527 Spruce Lane

Date: Feb. 14, 2009

Victim: Michaud Mitchell

Location: 2165 Davis Street

Date: March 20, 2009

Victim: Charles Ramsey II

Location: Midway Avenue/Willard Street

The following information is in reference to two death investigations detectives are working for 2009. The cases have not been ruled homicides but the circumstances surrounding the deaths are suspicious.

Date: Feb. 20, 2009

Deceased: Kwasie Morain

Location: 3193 E. Riverside Drive

Date: Feb. 10, 2009

Deceased: Danielle Blackburn

Location: 3623 Crestwood Lake Avenue