Southeast : WITNESSING FOR PROFIT

Crime still doesn’t pay in Cerritos. But reporting certain crimes may earn vigilant residents up to $25,000.

The City Council has approved a new system of rewards aimed at generating information on typically tough-to-solve crimes. Only information on violent crimes and those involving illegal gunfire can fetch rewards under the law. And only tips that lead to convictions are to be compensated.

The size of the reward would vary depending on the crime. For instance, someone turning in a New Year’s Eve reveler who fired a gunshot into the air might receive $1,000, whereas a homicide tipster could get $25,000, Fleager said. The City Council gave itself authority to determine the size of the reward.