Council establishes reward fund

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

Crime might not pay, but squealing on the criminals might, at least in Peachtree City.

At its meeting Thursday night, the City Council approved setting aside $25,000 in its contingency fund for rewards that help solve crimes. Councilman Dan Tennant had brought up the idea, noting that although Peachtree City is a "safe and secure community," the funds might help police solve a crime in the future.

Police Chief James V. Murray said the department already has some funds available to pay for information. The money is paid only if that information leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the crime, he said.

The chief added that the department has been fortunate to solve all its major crimes since he came on board.

The $25,000 in reward money, however, could help convince others to notify police of crimes the department might not otherwise be aware of, he added.

"We may get some information on drug activity, maybe about some trafficking that's coming through town on the way to Atlanta," Murray said.

When he was head of the homicide unit in Savannah, Murray said it was common to spend between $5,000 and $10,000 for information to solve several related murders.

Murray added that in the past if more funds for rewards in Peachtree City were necessary, he felt he could ask council for the money.

Tennant said the Police Department does an outstanding job, but he added that the city is not "immune to crime."

"Public safety needs to be priority one in our community, and criminals and would-be criminals need to be sent a message that this council will fully support the police department's effort to bring criminals to justice," Tennant said.

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