To Help Catch a Fugitive

Re “ ‘Monster’ Sought in a Dozen Killings,” Jan. 11: At $55,000, Timothy Joseph McGhee’s bounty is actually a subsidy for his fugitive status. People should be able to make online, tax-deductible donations to specific bounties established by the police. News stories like the one on McGhee could be Web-linked to such programs. It would unleash a flood of money, especially from communities most directly affected. People want to help, but it has to be made easy, and the benefit must be mutual and direct.

Bruce Swanson

Los Angeles