The fugitives of the nation may be heaving a sigh of relief at the news that the television show America's Most Wanted is no more. After 23 years of profiling the dregs of the criminal underworld — directly leading to 1,154 arrests by law enforcement agencies — the show was canceled in May by FOX and its final episode aired last month. The close working relationships host John Walsh cultivated with the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service over the years was an unprecedented collaboration between law enforcement and television. It was one of the very first reality shows which resulted in great TV and did a lot of good. Its cancellation leaves a hole both of those agencies will now need to fill.
"This is a big hit for us. The show is invaluable," says Geoff Shank, assistant director of investigative operations for the U.S. Marshals Service. "We have arrested so many heinous people and we've saved so many lives because of America's Most Wanted." Kevin Perkins, assistant director of the FBI's criminal investigations division, echoes the sentiment. "I personally hate to see it go," Perkins tells TIME. "We had 17 of our Most Wanted fugitives captured because of them and over 550 different cases solved as a result of tips."
1 comment:
They had to make room for another show about "dancing" or "singing" or the lives of washed up rock 'n rollers. Too bad....
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