Six new billboards will be seen around town with a message aimed directly at a culture that frowns upon helping police solve crimes. The billboard reads "Snitch" with the phrase beneath it "You bet I told". “I think people need to talk, seriously. Because there's too much stuff going on,” said Darlene Holmes. Holmes thinks the billboard is a good idea but not everyone welcomes the message. The billboard encourages people to come forward and talk to police if they know about a serious crime. Many residents are skeptical about the impact the campaign will have. Some say “snitching could actually put their lives in danger. “I understand that people fear for their own safety and that's understandable but by the same token you have to be aware that it could be you or a family member of yours or a child of yours that is the victim and without cooperation of a victim that person could walk free,” said Victor Saunders. Saunders is the Director of Pathways to Peace. Last year Pathways to Peace put up a series of billboards in hopes of combating the violence that was plaguing the city. “We put our billboard up just basically you want to raise awareness and I think as a billboard campaign the first thing you want to do is raise awareness and open up lines of communication where to relates to whatever your subject matter is,” said Saunders. While it might help make people more aware, changing a subculture that frowns upon talking to police may take a lot more than a few billboards. “They (young people) need to understand that if you're not involved in the criminal activity or trying to do something to make it easier on yourself you can’t snitch,” added Saunders.
