Crime Stoppers Turns to Billboards to Solicit Tips in Unsolved Murders

Unsolved murders are piling up in metro Detroit. Crime Stoppers has now launched a bold new effort to get people to come forward and speak-up. Instead of billboards along the highway, those massive signs will be front and center.

"I'm praying that people do the right thing and speak out," said Carol Smith, the mother of murder victim Darrell Smith.

"My message to my dad is I love you, and I'm never going to give up fighting for you," said Candace Khamarko.

Two families have a similar sad story that has their loved ones' pictures on billboards.

We'll start with Karim Khamarko. He was murdered at the Dollar Club Plus store he owned in Ferndale on November 26, 2010. There is still no closure, nor any telling leads, so Crime Stoppers has put up billboards. There are two of them in Ferndale strategically placed in the same area near where the crime happened. It's a constant reminder to someone who knows something.

"First of all, I never thought I'd see my dad on a billboard. I think it's eye-catching. Someone maybe who knows who did this to my dad will maybe drive by [or] walk by that billboard and see my dad's picture and see those words," Khamarko explained. "Maybe it will get them to say … I have to do the right thing."

Then there's the family of Darrell Smith, who was killed in Detroit on July 12, 2011. The college student, who was home taking care of his mother, went out with some friends and was shot in the back. His mother, father and family friends are all hoping a billboard will help bring the killer to justice.

"Tips have been coming in, so I'm praying that justice will be served because nobody has the right to take a life," Smith said.

However, putting up a billboard does cost money, but not as much as you might think. It's just about $200 for a four week run. Crime Stoppers is hoping you will open up your wallets this new year and help a grieving family.

"We believe someone out there has some sort of information about who did this to my dad," Khamarko said.

"He was a very good young man, and he didn't deserve this. People need to do the right thing and speak out," Smith remarked.

One of the most important features of Crime Stoppers, you can get a cash reward, but you don't have to leave your name. Pick up the phone and call 1-800-SPEAK-UP.