South El Monte Municipal Code Ch. 9.18 Reward for Information on Certain Crimes

A. Pursuant to Government Code Section 53069.5, the city council may, by resolution, offer a monetary reward for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of any person or persons whose willful misconduct results in damage or destruction of public property. The reward offer shall specify the property damaged or destroyed, the date (if available) the misconduct occurred, and the amount of the monetary reward being offered. Said resolution may require that the convicted offender reimburse the city for any reward paid, and may place responsibility for reimbursement of such reward upon the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of any unemancipated minor so convicted. In the event of multiple contributors of information, the reward amount shall be divided by the city in the manner it shall deem appropriate. Neither city employees, members of their families, sheriff's department employees, members of their families are eligible for the monetary reward, unless the city council, by resolution, provides otherwise.

B. Conviction of the person or persons whose willful misconduct has resulted in damage or destruction of property shall be a condition precedent to the payment of any monetary reward unless the city council makes a finding of impossibility of conviction due to the death or incapacity of the person or persons.

(Ord. 1022 §1, 2000)

The city council may offer a reward up to five thousand dollars payable from the general funds of the city.

(Ord. 1022 §1, 2000; Ord. 1030 §1, 2002)

Offers of monetary rewards shall be published by the South El Monte city clerk, in accordance with the provisions of Government Code Section 6062. Notices of the period within which to file claims for monetary rewards shall also be published by the South El Monte city clerk, in accordance with the provisions of Government Code Section 6062.

(Ord. 1022 §1, 2000)

To be eligible for consideration to receive a monetary reward, the information must have been received by the appropriate law enforcement personnel or city department within ninety days of the offer of monetary reward, unless such period is otherwise extended by resolution of the city council.

(Ord. 1022 §1, 2000)

Claims for monetary rewards must be submitted, in writing, to the city manager within sixty days after the expiration of the period within which to provide information, unless such period is otherwise extended by resolution of the city council.

(Ord. 1022 §1, 2000)

Any claim for monetary reward shall be submitted, in writing in a sealed envelope clearly marked confidential, to the city manager, and must include the name, address, and telephone number of the claimant and the law enforcement personnel to which information has been provided. The city shall maintain in confidence, the name, address and telephone number of any claimant(s) to the maximum extent provided by law.

(Ord. 1022 §1, 2000)

Any claim for monetary rewards shall be reviewed by a claim review committee consisting of the city manager, or designee, the city attorney, or designee, and the chief of police, or designee. Such committee shall review and verify the propriety of any claim and, thereafter, shall forward to the city council a recommendation with regard to the amount and distribution of any monetary reward. If necessary or otherwise appropriate, the claim review committee may elect to consult affected city departments, outside agencies, additional law enforcement authorities, and/or the office of the district attorney to determine the validity and allocation of any claim for monetary reward. The city council, in its sole and unfettered discretion, shall determine whether to pay a monetary reward, the amount of such reward to be paid, and the individual(s) to whom such reward shall be paid, and the decision of the city council regarding such shall be final and binding.

(Ord. 1022 §1, 2000)

Any monetary reward shall be paid no later than thirty calendar days from and after the conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the willful misconduct for which such monetary reward was offered.

(Ord. 1022 §1, 2000)

The city council may use all legal means to gain restitution, including recovery for any reward monies paid by the city, from any person or persons convicted of damaging or destroying government property.

(Ord. 1030 §2, 2002)