Newfoundland and Labrador Crime Stoppers has discontinued its Project Anonymous campaign in its entirety.
In a release issued moments ago, the organization says it is thanking those who supported the effort as well as those who voiced their comments and concerns.
Business owners and others have expressed concern and anger about the “anonymous” poster campaign, something they say was spreading fear among residents and visitors alike.
Some even went so far as to tear the posters down, upset about the impression that they left about safety and crime in the capital city region.
Earlier Story
A recent public awareness campaign by Crime Stoppers is getting attention, but perhaps not the way it was intended.
Business owners and others have expressed concern and anger about the “anonymous” poster campaign, something they say is spreading fear among residents and visitors alike.
Some have gone so far as to tear the posters down, upset about the impression that they leave about safety and crime in the capital city region.
Crime Stoppers issued a release yesterday responding to those concerns. It says the campaign is focused on the basic tenet of Crime Stoppers which is absolute anonymity.
The campaign website reflect the poster design, without the more controversial elements.
It says it fully expected a reaction and dialogue, and it welcomes all discussion surrounding how to continue making our communities a safer place. It was never about the level of crime in the community or creating fear.
The second phase of the project will roll out later this month and they’re asking the public that if they witness a crime, no matter how big or small, to say something, and that we all have a role to play in making our communities safer.
The posters are part of a larger campaign that includes radio and television ads. The second phase of the campaign will be released in the coming days.
Council Had No Control Over Content of Posters
Meanwhile, the city of St. John’s says they have no control over the content of the posters.
St. John’s City Council approved the Crime Stoppers campaign last month. The deputy mayor of the city of St. John’s, Sheilagh O’Leary, says what goes on the posters is entirely up to Crime Stoppers.
She says the city has no control on an ethical or moral level about what posters are put up throughout the city, and that the only reason the campaign had to go before council was due to a heritage by-law.
O’Leary says the city has spoken with Crime Stoppers about the content of the posters, but that the campaign will be moving forward as planned.
She says the campaign will be continuing and how people choose to react is up to that person.
