Feds launch new Operation LeGend billboard campaign urging residents to report crime

As part of the federal Operation LeGend initiative, a new digital billboard series was launched Friday in five locations throughout Kansas City to encourage citizens to take an active role to reduce violent crime.

The billboard will urge citizens to “Help Stop Violent Crime in K.C.” by calling the anonymous TIPS Hotline, 816-474-TIPS, according to a news released issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Kansas City.

“Witnesses and those who have information about a crime should know their tips are completely anonymous through 474-TIPS,” said U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison in a written statement. “If we’re going to solve the problem of violent crime in Kansas City, we need the community’s support.”

Lamar Advertising is donating digital billboards at Interstate 29 and Barry Road, Interstate 670 and Interstate 35, I-35/ I-29 and Armour Road, Interstate 70 and Interstate 470, as well as I-35 and I-435.

The billboards feature the TIPS Hotline number, along with the #OperationLegend hashtag and the seals of each of the agencies involved in Operation LeGend.

The anti-violence crime initiative was launched in early July and is named after 4-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was fatally shot in June in Kansas City.

Officials have said that federal agents were assigned to the operation in Kansas City from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Marshals Service.