Many outlaws of the Old West judge
their success in part on the amount
of reward offered for their arrest,
a fraternity of sorts developed among
those seeking to collect the bounty
then is now those offering the reward
hoped money might serve to loosen
a few lips.
So paying for information about major
criminal cases is nothing new.
But offering rewards for information
about less serious crimes is.
However, that's just what's been
happening lately.
Rewards offered for the arrest of
arsonists, smaller rewards
for the apprehension of burglars.
Some see it as indications money is
taking the place of a sense of
responsibility for what happens to our
neighbor, whether that neighbor lives
next door or across town.
The big reward offers frequently produced
results.
But small time thief,
they're not ready. They don't stand ready
to come forward and identify
that last number of that individual is
doing that burglary or are responsible
for that theft. They're just not going to
do it unless the money's right.
Unless the money's right.
So in a way, offering rewards
for information maintains the tradition
of the old West, except now
the practice has expanded
by getting smaller.
Bill Hix, Channel 5 Action News,
Fort Worth.