Politics & Government

Diamond Bar City Council Approves Tipster Reward Program

Witnesses whose tips lead to a burglar's arrest or conviction could get a $500 reward.

Witnesses who provide tips that lead to the the arrest or conviction of a person damaging property while committing a residential burglary in Diamond Bar could receive a $500 reward.

The Diamond Bar City Council Tuesday night voted 5-0 to approve the tipster reward program, increasing the reward to up to $500 from the original proposal of up to $100.

Councilman Steve Tye suggested the increase.

"I don't think people are motiviatd by reward money, but I think it should be worthwhle," he said. "It would be more impactful if it was $500."

Mayor Pro Tem Ron Everett agreed with Tye that the amount should be increased.

"We want to do everything we can do incentive and encourage timely reporting and $500 would (give) that a more impactful feeling and sensitivity," he said.

City staff said that any changes to the reward amount due to budget constraints could be done by council resolution down the line. 

After receiving a witness tip that leads to an arrest of a suspect, the Sheriff's Department would forward a recommendation form to the Reward Committee for consideration.  The committee, likely made up of the city manager and a sworn member of the city's public safety leadership team, would review the recommendation, validate the information, and give the award.

Tipsters would be kept anonymous to keep from discouraging other witnesses from coming forward in the future, according to staff.

Funds from the public safety budget salary savings would be used to pay for the program for the 2013-14 fiscal year. The annual costs are expected to total $10,000.

Assistant City Manager David Doyle said that although the city has one of the lowest crime rates in Los Angeles County, like other affluent communities, property crimes in particular do occur in Diamond Bar.

The program is designed to cut down on property crimes and to stress the importance of residents looking out for one another, he said.

"We certainly feel that if one Diamond Bar resident is a victim of crime, it's one too many," Doyle said. "We are constantly looking at opportunities to try to discourage crooks from coming into town and encourage, any way that we can, the arrest those crooks that do come into town."

Councilwoman Carol Herrera said she would like to see some noticeable signs posted around town as a marketing tool so that thieves know the city's residents are watching.

"I think its a great idea," she said. "I think it send a strong message out there to those about to commit crimes that Diamond Bar has zero tolerance for crime."

Doyle said the city staff is working on a marketing plan for the program to inform residents, business owners, and service providers about it. The city also wants burglars to be aware that they are being watched but how to make that known to them is still being worked out, he said.

"Certainly we want to criminals to be able to pick up on that," he said. "I just don't know the best way to market to a crook."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here