Comcast has teamed up with the Fulton County District Attorney’s office to help close long-unsolved area murders and disappearances.
“Comcast Police Blotter on Demand” launches for Comcast digital subscribers Thursday, and will feature 12 Metro Atlanta cold cases, and will be updated with new cases every two months.
Cases reach as far back as 1979 with the murder of Arnie Naiditch, who was discovered dead from blunt force head trauma after neighbors reported seeing his door open for three days.
Other cases include the 2003 disappearance of Atlanta mother-of-six, Dymashal Cullins and the 1995 rape and murder of 14-year-old Nacole Smith.
“The hope is that somebody calls in on these cases,” Atlanta Police cold case Detective Vincent Velazquez said.
“People who may have lived in those neighborhoods who are still in the Atlanta area ... those are the people we hope are watching.”
Digital viewers can reach the one- to two-minute “episodes” by selecting Channel 1 or the On Demand button on the remote, then selecting “Get Local,” then “Police Blotter,” then “Cold Cases.”
Then, just choose from one of the 12 cases presented.
The Police Blotter has been used since May 2008 to help capture fugitives, and investigators thought it would be a useful tool for cold cases as well.
“I saw that they had something for ‘Most Wanted,’ and gave a call to Comcast,” Velazquez said. “We asked if they would help us build something like that.
“It was literally done within a week.”
The Blotter On Demand concept was tested in Philadelphia in 2006, Comcast spokeswoman Cindy Kicklighter said.
“Our customers love to watch TV shows like ‘America’s Most Wanted’ and other crime shows, but they only air a few times a week and are often about faraway cities,” Kicklighter said. “Offering profiles ... gives our viewers a chance to help catch criminals and solve crimes in their own communities.”
Additionally, she said viewers can access the profiles 24 hours a day, seven days a week for up to six months.
Police will be looking for non-DNA cases that are still open, that can only be solved by tips, Velazquez said.
“You never know. Somebody may have heard something, or remember somebody talking or bragging about what they did,” Velazquez said.
Anyone with information on the cases is asked to call 1-800-OLD-TIPS (653-8477).
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