Trish Routte

One life is too many to lose, however in recent years, our community has dealt with multiple tragic losses of young lives at the hands of gun violence. In addition, it’s becoming more prevalent than ever to see social media posts of young adults showing off guns that somehow they’ve managed to get their hands on.

In response to this alarming trend, Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers has produced a new public service announcement that addresses gun violence among teens, the horrific consequences of teens getting access to guns, and what we can all do to enact change. Starting today, the video will be distributed throughout our community via social media outreach campaigns, as well as to local school districts.

It leaves a hole in our hearts at Crime Stoppers every time we hear another case where a teen has been shot and killed. We know that there is a wealth of information being shared amongst young people about who has guns, and where they’re getting them, but that information isn’t always getting to law enforcement until it’s too late. With this PSA, we want to encourage teens and parents alike that Crime Stoppers is here as the only anonymous way to report the information. One tip could save a life.

The new Crime Stoppers PSA was produced with the assistance of Fort Myers-based Full Circle Productions and Dreamtime Entertainment, who have assisted Crime Stoppers with a previous video on how Crime Stoppers works in the schools.

The gun violence PSA can be found HERE.

For additional information on Crime Stoppers, how to submit tips and how we keep tipsters anonymous, check out our website at southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or on Facebook page (SWFL Crime Stoppers), Instagram (swflcrime8477), X (SWFLCrime8477) or You Tube (SWFLCrimeStoppers).

The Crime Stoppers hotline is open 24/7 at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477), online and on the P3 Tips app.

All callers remain anonymous and are eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000.

Trish Routte is the Crime Stoppers manager.