Start snitchin’, urges Council member
January 12, 2009 at 6:33 pm by Scott Henry in NewsWith violent crime on every intowner’s mind right now, Council member Carla Smith hopes the lure of easy money will start loosening lips. As of this writing, the reward being offered for information leading to the capture of the thugs who killed Standard bartender John Henderson already tops $10,000.
John Henderson
“People should know they can make a lot more money turning in their buddies anonymously than they could ever get knocking over a restaurant or stealing flat-screen TVs,” says Smith, whose district includes the Standard, as well as the sites of several other recent murders — in addition to numerous victims of a flat-screen theft ring.
The reward program is being administered by the Atlanta Police Foundation, which has a high-profile marketing campaign designed to appeal to squealers and stoolies. You’ve probably seen the billboards exhorting folks to “Turn in criminals — From your cell to ours.” That’s the work of the APF, which sponsors the Crime Stoppers website and the 404-577-TIPS line. Smith says people whose tips prove legit get paid in cash, no questions asked. Donations can be made online.
While the APF is handling the reward money in the Henderson murder, the Grant Park Neighborhood Association has set up a memorial fund to collect donations for his family. About $6,800 has been collected so far. Donations to the memorial fund are also being accepted online.
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