By Nzaatasha Korecki
Chicago Sun-Times
CHICAGO — You don’t have to tackle a robber, pass out wanted posters or even pick up a phone.
If you want to play a role in nabbing bank robbers in our area, all you have to do is go online.
The FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force made up of the FBI, Cook County sheriff’s police and Chicago Police Department on Wednesday unveiled BanditTracker Chicago.com.
There, the public can view the latest photos -- some of which contain clear shots of offenders -- video and information about the record number of bank robberies hitting Chicago and its suburbs. Anonymous tips can be sent electronically.
FBI Chicago chief Robert Grant said the faster law enforcement can get out new information about a crime, “the better chance we have of getting dangerous people off the street.”
Since Sept. 11, 2001, the FBI has dedicated 44 percent less manpower toward investigating bank robberies.
At the same time, bank robbery numbers continue to rise, and the violence behind them also has escalated.
The rate at which crimes are solved has dropped from 70 or 80 percent to about 50 percent today, Grant said.
With 87 robberies already this year, we’re on pace in the Chicago area to set a new high after a record-breaking year in 2006.
Over the last several years, there has been an uptick of takeover style robberies, where bandits brandish a weapon and force bank employees and customers to the floor. There’s a high potential for violence in these types of robberies, Grant said.
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said the new Web site will aid investigators hit by shrinking budgets.
“It will be almost as if you’re adding more officers with regard to bank robbers,” Dart said.
Copyright 2009 Chicago Sun-Times