The controversial 'Fugitive Wheel' created by a sheriff in Florida

Sheriff Wayne Ivey has gone viral on social networks with a peculiar method to try to reduce crime in Brevard County, Florida.

Through video segments in a television game show format, the sheriff places a dozen fugitives on a spinning wheel and encourages the public to choose the fugitive of the week.

The purpose is to ask for the public's help in identifying and reporting fugitives.

The

is a method that has sparked controversy.

In 2021, a

investigation showed that at least 60 people portrayed as fugitives in this video segment did not have a valid warrant, were in jail, or had already been released when the show aired.

This month, David Austin Gay, one of the men featured sued the sheriff for defamation, saying the segment had gotten him fired even though he was not a fugitive when the show aired.

Ivey has also used other tactics to engage the community in fighting crime.

The sheriff has other thematic segments such as

or

.

themed specials

for times like Christmas or Halloween.

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