CLEVELAND, July 9, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the fall of 2009, Cleveland-based Pinpoint Media had an idea for catching bad guys: create a local "Americas Most Wanted" type program to generate leads that law enforcement can follow. The concept interested the cooperation of law enforcement, including Crime Stoppers, the Cleveland Police Homicide Unit, the County Sheriff's office, the U.S. Marshals and the FBI. These interested parties together with Pinpoint Media produced a "pilot" of the program, titled "Warrant Unit" which was made a part of the WOIO broadcast schedule. Dan Salamone, news director at WOIO, northeast Ohio's CBS affiliate, believes "Warrant Unit" is the first locally produced series to be picked up in decades.
The problem of sponsorship was at first problematic. Since the program would only be seen in the Cleveland/northeast Ohio market (1.5 million homes), the burden of production costs would be local, not spread out over hundreds of markets like syndicated national crime programs. Covering costs would be a tall order given advertising rates for the program's air times.
When Dublin, Ohio-based IGS Energy (America's largest independent retail gas supplier) learned of the program's dilemma, they immediately offered their support. As IGS secured the program's title sponsorship, the program gathered other sponsors; The Ganley Auto Group, Milano Monuments, ABC Bail Bonds and their sister company City Bonding Service, local attorney Ralph DeFranco, and City-Wide Carpet. WOIO is also a valuable sponsor since they donate the air time. Executive producer Shawn Rech explained the supporters' importance to the program, saying, "Without these sponsors, the show wouldn't exist. These are good corporate citizens who are making a real difference in the community."
The show had its debut on December 22, 2009, and has aired weekly since.
The results of this corporate/law enforcement partnership are tangible and measurable:
CRIME RESULTS:
After one of its episodes, police received a tip that led to the murderer of Devin Webb. This four year old case was cold, despite a video of the actual murder. Detectives credit "Warrant Unit" with helping them identify, capture and charge 42 year old Eric Wells with Webb's murder. http://vimeo.com/11167311
Four other cold case homicides are being actively worked thanks to viewer tips.
"Warrant Unit" also helped police identify and capture Michael McCord, who exposed himself to an underage girl on an RTA bus. After seeing the show, a viewer spotted McCord him on public square and notified police. http://www.woio.com/Global/story.asp?S=12745108
Every episode ends with pictures of 25 wanted fugitives. To date, over 150 of these fugitives have been captured. Crime Stoppers coordinator, Sgt. David Rutt says, "the show has supplanted our organization's printed circulars as the number one source of fugitive tips. In addition, call volume has doubled since the show started airing."
INDUSTRY AND VIEWER RECOGNITION:
Safer streets weren't the program's only result. The National Association of Television Arts and Sciences recognized "Warrant Unit" with an EMMY Award in its "Magazine Program - Series or Special" category at last month's regional ceremony. "Warrant Unit" is also enjoying solid ratings, attracting an average audience of over 56,000 weekly viewers across its Saturday and Sunday airings.
Warrant Unit airs on Saturdays on WOIO at 11:35, PM, after 19 Action News, and Sundays on WUAB at 1:30 PM. The program is hosted by local radio personality Bob Frantz and features appearances by homicide detectives, as well as Cuyahoga County Sheriff Bob Reid, Sgt. David Rutt, Crime Stoppers Coordinator, Tom Ganley, President of Cuyahoga County Crime Stoppers, and Drew DeSerto, head of the U.S. Marshals' Violent Fugitive Task Force. All tips to the show are fielded by Crime Stoppers and the Sheriff's Office. The program's web site is www.warrantunitcleveland.com