Weighing risk and reward when it comes to talking to police

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee(WDEF) –  No one likes being labeled a snitch, especially when it leads to the arrest and conviction of an individual involved in a crime. But does the risk out weigh the reward.

When it comes to tracking down criminals accused of the most heinous crimes, Federal and local law enforcement rely heavily on informants.

Dalton Police Commander Chip Whitfield told WDEF that his department has been able to solve a great number of crimes thanks to people coming forward with information.

"We’ve had great success over the years using anonymous as well as confidential informants," Whitfield said.

Chattanooga police officials told WDEF that in the past, it was very difficult to get people to come forward with information about certain crimes. Assistant Chief Tracy Arnold said things have changed since Fred Fletcher took over as police chief.

"We’ve seen a pretty good success rate as far as getting community members to cooperate with us," Arnold said.

The cooperation Arnold spoke about is the result of officers convincing people that crime won’t solve itself. Since his first day on the job, Chief Fletcher has endorsed the idea of  going door-to-door to actually talk with community members about building relationships. 

"We go to them and let them know that we need them to participate with the investigative process and to cooperate with us. And often times, we get anonymous phone calls," Arnold said.

But despite the success law enforcement is having with people who come forward, there is still an old saying that exists on the streets,"Snitches get Stitches."

Chattanooga resident Steven Eberhardt knows all about street codes. He say’s for 40-years, he was gang affiliated. Now he spends his time trying to help gang members live a better life. WDEF asked him what it would take for a gangster to break that code.

"Only way they’re code will be broke is when they face 30-40 years in jail. Then they’re willing to tell you something," Eberhardt said.

According to Eberhardt, there is definitely a lot that needs to be told.

"We got a bunch of murders around here that haven’t been solved yet. I don’t know of any way to get them unless they get people who was with them to actually tell on them," he said.

But being an informant can be very dangerous; which explains why "Snitches get Stitches."

Law enforcement officials are very aware of that term.

"We at no time will put anyone in a position that they would be harmed or be in fear of any type of retaliation," Arnold said.

"We will protect their identity, We go to great lengths to do that," Whitfield said.

One of those great lengths includes a tactic that might surprise many people.

"If it was ultimately a safety issue, we could always decide not to pursue the case any further. We could stop," Whitfield said.

Stopping would require investigators to explore other options to solve a crime; options that could prevent an informant from being harmed.

Usually when there’s a shooting, one of the most common questions reporters hear from people who were close to what went down is why police don’t have a suspect in custody. The same people will often say no comment to reporters when asked the people saw or heard, especially when their information can help news outlets print and broadcast a description of a suspect. Eberhardt has advice for those individuals.

"Tragedy can hit anywhere. If you people want this stuff to stop; we all have to unite, come together and actually tell on the people who’s actually doing this violence," Eberhardt said.