Uber and Crime Stoppers team up in Jacksonville for crime reporting program

Jacksonville is one of only five cities nationwide chosen for a new crime initiative.

Action News Jax's Courtney Cole shows us a new partnership turning local Uber drivers into crime fighters.

This week, Crime Stoppers International announced their partnership with uber.

"I think that’s pretty dope. I’m from a big city - New York, Los Angeles - so you hear a lot of horror stories,” said Ronald Martinez.

Drivers will learn how to report potentially suspicious activity to the police. "With that in place, people will feel a lot safer,” said Edgar Derricho.

Last week, Uber drivers in Jacksonville began receiving e-mails with information about the First Coast Crime Stoppers hotline and their online portal.

There will be four other U.S. other cites participating in this program: Las Vegas, Indianapolis, Atlanta and New Orleans.

Uber told Cole that Jacksonville was picked primarily because the local Crime Stoppers chapter has a great relationship with the national organization.

"Jacksonville is forward thinking,” Martinez said.

"It shows that Jacksonville is kind of leading, starting the wave to really help people, make them feel safer as well,” Derricho said.

Action News Jax crime and safety expert Ken Jefferson said  adding eyes and ears on the streets can only help law enforcement.

“If we partnered with not only Uber drivers, but garbage collectors, cab drivers, bus drivers, all of these other forms of transportation that are out and about all day everyday, it would be a big help,” Jefferson said.

Uber says they’re planning to expand the program to other markets around the world soon.

TRENDING: 

• Map: Best places to see Christmas lights in the Jacksonville area
• Bomb threats emailed nationwide to schools, businesses, media companies
• How to watch the spectacular Geminid meteor shower
• Jacksonville Section 8 housing applicants likely not in homes for years

Cox Media Group