FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 6, 2007
Contact: Paul E. Daymond, Media Representative
Direct Dial: (205) 279-1457

FBI PRESENTS 2006 DIRECTOR’S COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD TO JEREMY KING

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Carmen S. Adams presented the 2006 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award to Jeremy King at a Press Conference this afternoon. King has been the Crimestoppers reporter for ABC 33/40 since March of 2005.

Since 1990, the FBI has recognized individuals and organizations for their efforts in combating crime, drugs and violence in America with the Director's Community Leadership Award. Each year, the SAC of each FBI field office selects an individual or organization that has contributed greatly to crime, drug and/or violence prevention in their community.

Under King’s watch, Crimestoppers reports are now airing more frequently, often five or more separate stories per week, increasing the publicity of local fugitives. There were 230 cases cleared in 2006 compared to 106 in 2005. In 2006, 19 murders, 30 robberies and 15 narcotics cases were cleared. This two-fold increase in solved cases is attributed to the additional reports and greater awareness of the program that King and ABC 33/40 have generated as well as other proactive initiatives of the Crimestoppers detectives.

The Crimestoppers program is featured heavily in general news stories, such as the Thanksgiving Day murders of 2005. Three people were gunned down at an airport motel. Three suspects were named. Two of the three suspects were arrested as a result of tips generated from the Crimestoppers reports.

Crimestoppers reports also focus on non-violent crimes such as the theft of thousands of children’s books from a local agency. King’s story resulted in a large public response, with the agency receiving multiple donations to help put the books back on the shelves.

Other general news stories reported by King under the Crimestoppers label include informing viewers of tactics criminals use and empowering viewers with information to keep themselves from being victimized.

Crimestoppers reports also go after sex offenders, with multiple reports focusing on new tactics of tracking offenders, along with showing the pictures of wanted offenders. Viewer’s response to King’s reports has led to several offenders being apprehended by law enforcement.