SAN DIEGO–Crime Stoppers will be hosting the 28th annual Light the Night Against Crime 5K Run/Walk on October 25 in Balboa Park.
Sheriff Bill Gore and SDPD Assistant Chief Mark Jones will be on hand to send off the participants, who number nearly 2,000 runners and walkers this year. The race takes on a cops and robbers theme. The robbers will take off (jail break) at 7 p.m. sharp. Three minutes later, the cops will be dispatched and sent out to apprehend the escaped robbers. The robbers will want to be caught; the first 25 cops who cross the line with a robber, each will receive a loot bag. Jaywalkers will be walking behind the cops. Throughout the event, local law enforcement agencies will provide many displays from SWAT teams, search and rescue dogs, as well as recruiting units.
The event raises funds for cash rewards. These rewards are paid to people who call, text or send web tips to the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line with information leading to the arrest of felons in San Diego County. Since its inception in 1984, Crime Stoppers has assisted in solving over 5400 cases including 131 homicides, 48 sexual assaults and 737 robberies. Crime Stoppers has also helped apprehend over 3,400 suspects. Police acknowledge that many crimes would go unsolved without the help of Crime Stoppers. Many other crimes would require lengthy investigations at considerable cost to the public while offenders would be free to commit other crimes.
