Police telethon to target Español
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 2, 2006

Senta Scarborough



The Mesa Police Department is hosting its first telethon next week for Spanish-speaking residents in an effort to make them feel comfortable about calling in crime tips and reporting crimes.

Police Chief George Gascón approached the Spanish-language television station Univision, Channel 33 or on cable Channel 19, to show the telethon Thursday.

"It is a way to reach out to the Spanish-speaking community," Mesa police Sgt. Chuck Trapani said. Mesa is 24 percent Hispanic or Latino, according to the 2005 U.S. Census.

Trapani said there is a false perception that police will report undocumented immigrants if they call police to report a crime or tip.

People can call the telethon anonymously, and they will not be asked about their immigration status.

"We are hoping to solve some unsolved crimes and maybe some crimes will be reported that haven't because they were scared," Trapani said. "If there is a crime committed, we want to know about it."

About 20 Spanish-speaking volunteers and police staff will answer the phones and will take tips on crimes or information on unreported crimes.

Detectives, officers and civilian police staff will be on hand to handle immediate needs. Wells Fargo is providing the phones and location for the telethon.

Gascón held a similar telethon in Los Angeles when he was with the LAPD, and it helped solve crimes as far away as Texas, Trapani said.

"He wants us to show we are accessible to he public," Mesa police spokeswoman Holly Hosac said. "We are saying we are here for any type of crime or concern. If you are in doubt, it is better to call than not."


Crime tip telethon
Spanish-speaking Mesa residents can call in crime tips or report crimes Thursday as part of a telethon hosted by Spanish-language television station Univision, Channel 33 or cable Channel 19, and Mesa police. The telethon will be in Spanish and air from 5 to 10p.m.To report a tip or crime, call
(480) 644-8990. The number is only for the telethon and will only operate during telethon hours. Reports can be made anonymously and there will be no questions about immigration status.


Telemaratón para informar crimenes
Los residentes de Mesa que hablen Español, podran informar crimenes el Jueves, por parte de un telemaratón que sera auspiciado por la emisora Univision, el Canal 33 o cable Canal 19 y la policia de Mesa. El telemaratón se va a transmitir en Español desde las 5 p.m. hasta las 10 p.m.

Para informar crimenes confidencialmente, llame al (480) 644-8990.

Este es un numero especial que solamente estara operando durante el telemaratón. Los informes seran anónimos y no se solicitorá el status de residencia.




The Mesa Police Department is hosting its first telethon next week for Spanish-speaking residents in an effort to make them feel comfortable about calling in crime tips and reporting crimes.

Police Chief George Gascón approached the Spanish-language television station Univision, Channel 33 or on cable Channel 19, to show the telethon Thursday.

"It is a way to reach out to the Spanish-speaking community," Mesa police Sgt. Chuck Trapani said. Mesa is 24 percent Hispanic or Latino, according to the 2005 U.S. Census.

Trapani said there is a false perception that police will report undocumented immigrants if they call police to report a crime or tip.

People can call the telethon anonymously, and they will not be asked about their immigration status.

"We are hoping to solve some unsolved crimes and maybe some crimes will be reported that haven't because they were scared," Trapani said. "If there is a crime committed, we want to know about it."

About 20 Spanish-speaking volunteers and police staff will answer the phones and will take tips on crimes or information on unreported crimes.

Detectives, officers and civilian police staff will be on hand to handle immediate needs. Wells Fargo is providing the phones and location for the telethon.

Gascón held a similar telethon in Los Angeles when he was with the LAPD, and it helped solve crimes as far away as Texas, Trapani said.

"He wants us to show we are accessible to he public," Mesa police spokeswoman Holly Hosac said. "We are saying we are here for any type of crime or concern. If you are in doubt, it is better to call than not."


Crime tip telethon
Spanish-speaking Mesa residents can call in crime tips or report crimes Thursday as part of a telethon hosted by Spanish-language television station Univision, Channel 33 or cable Channel 19, and Mesa police. The telethon will be in Spanish and air from 5 to 10p.m.To report a tip or crime, call
(480) 644-8990. The number is only for the telethon and will only operate during telethon hours. Reports can be made anonymously and there will be no questions about immigration status.


Telemaratón para informar crimenes
Los residentes de Mesa que hablen Español, podran informar crimenes el Jueves, por parte de un telemaratón que sera auspiciado por la emisora Univision, el Canal 33 o cable Canal 19 y la policia de Mesa. El telemaratón se va a transmitir en Español desde las 5 p.m. hasta las 10 p.m.

Para informar crimenes confidencialmente, llame al (480) 644-8990.

Este es un numero especial que solamente estara operando durante el telemaratón. Los informes seran anónimos y no se solicitorá el status de residencia.