The department released the nearly 100 images for men and women wanted for crimes including murder, rape, assault and robbery.
"These slides are an important tool in our attempt to bring violent criminals to justice. We need the support and involvement of the community to apprehend these individuals and make our streets safer," said Mayor Michael Nutter in a statement.
"Some are cold cases some are more recent. We have a homicide that is two weeks old - we have a photo of that individual," said Lt. Ray Evers of the Philadelphia Police Dept. "It's a $20,000 reward for the arrest and conviction for individuals wanted for homicide."
A slideshow of pictures was an incredibly popular feature on 6abc.com Wednesday. Perhaps the public interest reflects a desire to help, or mere curiosity. It may also have something to do with that $20,000 bounty the city has recently put on the heads of murder suspects. There are 28 of them among the 'most wanted.'
"Whatever it takes. If it's $20,000 for a homicide or if they give us some information about a gunpoint robbery - whatever it takes to get these jobs," said Lt. Evers. "The mayor is working very hard to get information out to the public."
Over the past few years the police have turned to social media as an effective crime fighting tool. They find it much easier to enlist the public's help through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
They quickly post video surveillance of suspects on their website and get the video out to the media. In the past it may have taken days or weeks to get results.
Now, it's literally down to minutes.
"We had an individual - I believe three weeks ago - who committed the sexual assault of an 11-year-old in the East Division. We put it on the news at about 6:10 p.m. and in about 16 minutes that person was arrested because someone saw it on the news and called 911," said Lt. Evers.
To submit tips:
E-mailing photos, videos and tips at tips@phillypolice.com
Calling 215-686-TIPS (8477)
Or file electronically using the 'submit a tip' form on http://www.phillypolice.com.
The images are also featured on the Philadelphia Police YouTube channel and on government access Channel 64.
MOBILE USERS: CLICK HERE to see the images
