REWARD FUND MAY BE SET UP.

Byline: JIM SKEEN  Staff Writer

LANCASTER -- Seeking another tool in their fight on rising crime, Lancaster officials are considering creating a reward fund for information leading to arrests and convictions in robbery and burglary cases.

City staffers and Sheriff's Department officials are proposing to set aside $25,000 in a reward fund, with informants awarded $1,000 for each robber or burglar convicted.

``The intent is to get people to speak about what they've seen,'' said Councilman Andy Visokey. ``A lot of people are afraid to speak out. It's a sad day in America when you have to offer a reward to get people to tell what they've seen, but that's the times we are living in.''

The reward program will be considered by the City Council at their meeting Tuesday.

The reward fund is believed to be the first in the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

``Will it ($1,000) be enough? I hope so. We'll find out over time,'' said Lt. Gordon Carn of the Lancaster sheriff's station.

Councilman Ed Sileo said in some cases it might be cheaper to offer a small reward to get information than have detectives spending a lot of time trying to gleam that same information.

``Criminals and their associates aren't known for being particularly bright or very loyal,'' Sileo said. ``I want the ones who aren't very loyal to turn in the ones that aren't very bright.''

Sileo said the program has virtually no downside because no money is paid out unless there is a conviction.

``While this tactic isn't meant to solve every crime problem, it is another creative tool for our deputies to use,'' Sileo said.

There were approximately 1,600 robberies and burglaries reported in Lancaster in 2005. These two types of crimes are often connected to gangs and drugs as a way to fund gang and drug activities, city and sheriff's officials said.

``While many people offer information and cooperation to law enforcement without the inducement of a reward, rewards have proven effective in encouraging reluctant witnesses and other knowledgeable individuals to come forward with critical information about a crime,'' Assistant City Manager Mark Bozigian wrote in a report to the council. ``These reluctant individuals are many times related to or associated with the suspect.''

The rewards would be offered on a per-suspect basis, regardless of the number of crimes committed by that individual. If there are multiple informants, the reward would be split.

A reward committee would be established to approve payments after arrest and conviction of a suspect. The Reward Committee will be comprised of two city employees designated by City Manager Bob LaSala, two Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department employees designated by Lancaster sheriff's station Capt. Carl Deeley, and Lancaster City Attorney Dave McEwen.

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