Crime Stoppers offer new way for public to share information

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — Solving crime takes time. Police commonly ask the public for help and information.

There’s a new way to get the word out. It’s a more common approach for reaching as many people as possible.

The Crime Stoppers of the Greater Mahoning Valley podcast is a supplemental approach to reaching out for information. Today, it was talking about the death of Shimmie Miller.

“We’re able to share some stories of the work he was doing, the impact he was having in our community. And I think that’s important,” Guy Burney of C.I.R.V. YOUNGSTOWN said.

The podcast presents the story of a crime, gives updated investigation details, and seeks more information to help solve it with a simple call to 746-CLUE.

“Your call is anonymous. We don’t ask who you are. We don’t ask where you live,” Host John Leseganich said.

One episode is produced each month.

This month’s episode focused on an active investigation Shimmie Miller was killed in June along Steel Street. A $5,000 reward is available for information that leads to an arrest and indictment .

“I can tell you, over the last few years, and it’s anecdotal, but I’ve seen more folks, a lot of our brave citizens in Youngstown. Coming forward and giving us information,” YPD Captain Jason Simon said.

The podcast’s conversational style builds a rapport with listeners and helps them feel comfortable with sharing information.

In the case of Shimmie Miller, there was no overlooking his past, but also a recognition that he was sharing violence isn’t a solution to problems.

Miller was engaged in local outreach efforts, founding the Will R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Foundation to offer anti-violence programs. He also created a program in collaboration with the Youngstown City School District to engage conflict resolution strategies among scholars.

Miller also started the R.E.S.P.E.C.T. basketball league and was a program speaker for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

Miller spoke to WKBN previously about his efforts . He had served a 26-year sentence for murder and attempted murder and said he wanted to stop others from making the same mistakes that he did.

Investigators are still working on the case, but need more key information to piece it together.

“We will solve homicides, but we can solve them more quickly and get those bad guys off the street a lot quicker with more information,” Simon said.

“You know justice for a family is so important so that we can move on as a community,” Burney said.

The number for Crime Stoppers is 746-CLUE. All tips can remain anonymous.

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