The purpose of this chapter is to establish a board of interested
citizens and to provide for them an opportunity to assist law enforcement
efforts through citizen cooperation in a crimestopper program. The
Board shall be empowered to create and administer a reward fund obtained
through private sources and shall make payments to individuals who
have supplied information to the Police Department which has aided
in a criminal investigation. In order to ensure confidentiality, the
Board shall be empowered to adopt procedures to guarantee anonymity
of any person supplying information and to take such steps and undertake
such programs as will enhance and foster the aforementioned programs.
The Mount Vernon Crimestoppers Board, hereinafter referred to
as the "Board," is established for the City of Mount Vernon.
[Amended 10-26-1983, approved 10-27-1983]
The Board shall consist of seven members to be appointed by
the Mayor. In addition, the Deputy Commissioner of the Department
of Public Safety shall be a member of the Board. Members shall be
residents of the City for a period of not less than five years. No
member may be an employee of the municipal government of the City
of Mount Vernon.
A member's term shall commence upon appointment and shall
continue at the pleasure of the Mayor.
Members of the Board shall serve without compensation.
The Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Secretary shall be elected
by a majority of the members present at the first meeting of the Board
and annually thereafter.
The Board is authorized and empowered to do the following:
A. To
be responsible for the creation and maintenance of a fund to be known
as the "rewards for information fund," which shall be funded and replenished
through contribution from the general public.
B. To
make payment of rewards to the person or persons providing information
leading to the apprehension and indictment or conviction of an individual
for a felony or misdemeanor.
[Amended 4-8-1992, approved 4-9-1992]
C. To
make determination as to the amount of the reward and the manner in
which the information received contributed to the apprehension and
indictment or conviction.
[Amended 4-8-1992, approved 4-9-1992]
D. To
take such measures as may be necessary to ensure the confidentiality
of the person or persons offering such information.
[Amended 4-8-1992, approved 4-9-1992]
A. A
person shall be deemed to have provided information leading to the
apprehension and indictment or conviction of an individual for any
felony or misdemeanor when such person has provided the Department
of Public Safety with information which the Board has determined to
have materially contributed to such apprehension and indictment or
conviction. The Board shall be authorized to conduct such investigation
as deemed necessary prior to making such determination.
B. Upon
making a determination that the information submitted did materially
contribute to the apprehension and indictment or conviction of an
individual for a felony or misdemeanor, the person shall be entitled
to, and the Board shall pay from the reward fund, a reward not to
exceed $5,000. Payments made to two or more persons shall be in proportionate
shares and shall not exceed this limit.
[Amended 2-28-1996, approved 2-29-1996]
The rules in Robert's Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern
this Board in all cases to which they are applicable and which are
not inconsistent with these bylaws.