The Yakima Police Department has many unsolved murders on the books and they hope that a new addition to the department’s website will help generate tips. The department has created an interactive map on yakimapolice.org with points showing the location of 32 unsolved murders or colds over the past 10 years that the department wants to clear up and erase from the books. They also want to give families a closure.
Yakima Police Chief Matt Murray says detectives in the department already have a high rate of convictions at 68%. The national average is 61%.
But the detectives need help and that’s why the department created the new interactive map. When a point on the map showing the location of a murder is clicked, there is a brief summary of the facts about the case, as well as a form that gives the police tips on how to solve the murder. The police simply hope that the information on the card will help generate useful tips on solving the cases.
The crime of murder has no statute of limitations, which means that if evidence is found even 20 years later, a person can be charged with the crime. Indeed, Yakima Police say if the suspect is still alive, it doesn’t matter how much time has passed since the murder, they can still be charged with the murder.
Authorities say they knew people knew something about the murders, which could help police solve cases. They hope the card and additional evidence will convince people to help the police. You can view the map on the YPD website at yakimapolice.org