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Home My WebLink About1989-04-25; City Council; 9996; Reward Fund for Information Leading to Arrest) ,,, . 'ti (I) r-1 .... 4-1 I (I) j ~ El (I) ~ .... (I) ~ ~ "Cl r: Cl! C: 0 .... ~ 0 Cl! 0 C: ~ 0 0 ~ r-1 •r-l 0 C: :, 0 I u °' 00 ·, l/'\ C'I --.:t It .. z 0 § c( ...I u z :::I 0 (.) er~ OF CARLSBAD -AGENr--~ BILL MTG. 4-25-89 DEPT. R/AG TITLE: PROPOSAL TO CREATE A REWARD FUND FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST & CONVICTION OF THOSE WHO COMMIT CRIMES IN CARLSBAD DEPT. HO~.J /./. CITY ATT CITY MGR. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Cons1der this proposal and take appropriate action. ITEM EXPLANATION: It is proposed that the City of Carlsbad create a $10,000 Reward Fund to . encourage individuals to provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of those who perpetrate crimes within the City of Carlsbad. It is also proposed that the Police Department establish a program with Cablevision, where information concerning "Carl shad's Most Wanted" can be disseminated. FISCAL IMPACT: None, other than staff time to this point. Depending on the decision of the City Council, monies will need to be appropriated to cover the cost of $10,000 awards of the year, plus cable television time. EXHIBITS: 1. Memo to City Council/City Manager from Mayor Lewis and Council Member Pettine, dated February 16, 1989. 2. Memo to Mayor/Counci 1 Members from Council Member Mamaux, dated February 17, 1989 . 3. Memo to Mayor/Council Members/City Manager from Council Member Pettine, dated, February 27, 1989. I FEBRUARY 16, 1989 TO: CITY COUNCIL CITY MANAGER FROM: MAYOR LEWIS COUNCIL MEMBER PETTINE REWARD FUND EXHIBIT 1 Due to the recent and appalling acts of violence which have occurred within our City, it is proposed that a $10,000 reward fund be created by the City. This reward fund shall be used to encourage individuals to come forward with information leading to the arrest and conviction of those who perpetrate crimes within our city. The reward fund shall be administered by the Chief of Police, who shall establish guidelines for its implementation and who shall have responsibility for its use and disbursement. It is also suggested that the Police Department establish a program with Cablevision, wherein information concerning "Carlsbad's Most Wanted" can be disseminated. By this memo we are requesting that the City Manager prepare an agenda bill regarding the above. Your input is appreciated. ~k Mayor pgk LAltl~v.P~ 1)". MARK V. PETTINE Council Member I I I I I I I ,. I l. - February 17, 1989 TO: MAYOR LEWIS COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM: Council Member Mamaux PROPOSED REWARD FUND EXHIBIT 2 I have serious reservations about the creation of a reward fund. The utilization of taxpayers' money for this purpose has to be carefully examined. Although I respect the Police Chief, I think any gu~delines that would be established should be approved by us and not give him a free hand to do this. Philosophically, it appears we are going to start a system whereby people snitch on their neighbors or children turn in their parents, and this was done in Germany many years ago. The City of San Diego does not offer rewards. There is a significant difference supporting crime stop programs funded through private donations, rather than tax dollars. After all, people are supposed to, as a part of their community duty, report crimes. Are we only going to create rewards for those who do this? In regard to the Police Department establi~hing a program on Cable Television called, "Carlsbad's Most Wanted," that is entirely too high profile for me. The current television programs are geared more toward entertainment, which is why sponsors put up advertisement dollars to keep these shows in business. Prior to starting this, I would like to have the opportunity to discuss this in depth with you. Wv1 ~ \f--,'-ft,(," ~NJ. MAMAUX Council Member mhs c: City Manager t - February 27, 1989 TO: FROM: MAYOR COUNCIL MEMBERS CITY MANAGER Council Member Mark Pettine The purpose of the proposed use of cablevision in law enforcement matters and the proposed reward fund, is EXHIBIT 3 to provide the Carlsbad Police Department with additional tools with which to fight crime. The proposed use of local cablevision is not inten~ed to be a high profile weekly show devoted to entertainment. The use of the name "Carlsbad's Most Wanted" is only intended to convey the idea of periodically disseminating information on local crime by way of television. The program would work as follows: A serious crime occurs within our City and witnesses provide a suspect description to the Police. A composite sketch is prepared. The Police are unable through follow-up investigation to locate and apprehend the perpetrator. At this point, unless the story and composite is picked up by network television (i.e. Cahnnel 8, 10 or 39) or a private organization (i.e. Crime Stoppers), detectives must wait for a break in the case. Under the proposed program the Police would, if circumstances warrant, use cablevision to advise the community of the circumstances of the crime and a description of the alleged perpetrator. The Police would be able to use television, when deemed appropriate by the Chief, as a tool to develop leads in stalled investigations. The reward fund would be used when appropriate to encourage witnesses to come forward with information helpful to a given case. I agree that citizens have a civic duty to do this, but unfortunately that does not alwavs happen. Sometimes crimes occur in the vicinity of those who are less than civic minded and who will not come forward without an incentive. According to the City Attorney both California statutory and case law support a municipality providing rewards in these circumstances. February 27, 1989 Page 2 Unfortunately, as our region grows crimes of violence will increase. Recent SANDAG statistics show a Countywide 30% increase in homicides, and a 9.5% increase in aggravated assaults. Our City should continue to be agressive in dealing with crime. These two proposals are offered for this purpose. Respectfully submitted, /P/d- MARK V. PETTINE Council Member