A new ad campaign involving mock movie posters aims to silence gangsters in Metro Vancouver.
At a movie theatre in Surrey, the region91Ƶs Crime Stoppers chapter unveiled a new 91ƵGuns and Gangs91Ƶ initiative that encourages people to give anonymous tips about gang activity and other serious crimes.
The crime-fighting organization hopes the messages 91Ƶflip the script91Ƶ on crime by celebrating tipsters as 91Ƶstars91Ƶ of the narrative.
New posters feature the three storylines of 91ƵThe Gunman91Ƶs Barber91Ƶ (how a barber91Ƶs anonymous tip put a criminal behind bars), 91ƵThe Gang Member91Ƶs Gym Buddy91Ƶ (an anonymous tip led to a heavy sentence) and 91ƵThe Drug Dealer91Ƶs Neighbour91Ƶ (how one tip sent a criminal to jail).
The Saul Bass-style graphics will be displayed on restaurant and bar screens, billboards, and on bus and Skytrain overhead cards and transit shelters. Videos will be played before movies at local Landmark company theatres including the one in Guildford, where a launch event was held Wednesday (March 15).
Launched at a movie theatre, a new Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers campaign wants to silence gangsters.
91Ƶ Tom Zillich (@TomZillich)
How new movie poster-style ads aim to 91Ƶflip the script91Ƶ on criminals:
The PS&Co campaign aims to reach people who know someone involved in illegal activities, or has key information, and wants to do the right thing, but won91Ƶt tell anyone for fear of reprisal.
The ads target girlfriends, boyfriends and partners of anyone involved in crime, parents and extended family, non-criminal friends and casual acquaintances such as servers, bartenders, valets and special entertainers.
Linda Annis, executive director of Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers, says the organization had 91Ƶgreat success91Ƶ with three previous Guns and Gangs advertising campaigns in recent years, and hopes for the same in 2023.
91ƵSince 2016, tips to Crime Stoppers are credited for 216 gun- and gang-related arrests, and the seizure of 313 illegal weapons,91Ƶ says Annis, also a Surrey city councillor.
91ƵAnyone can be a hero. We accept anonymous tips about any crime 24/7 and in 115 languages. We don91Ƶt want to know your identity or where you91Ƶre from, we just want information that can help police to solve crime.91Ƶ
, or call 1-800-222-8477.
tom.zillich@surreynowleader.com
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