Crime might

not pay, but squealing on the criminals might, at least in Peachtree City.

At its meeting

Thursday night, the City Council approved setting aside $25,000 in its

contingency fund for rewards that help solve crimes. Councilman Dan Tennant

had brought up the idea, noting that although Peachtree City is a "safe

and secure community," the funds might help police solve a crime

in the future.

Police Chief

James V. Murray said the department already has some funds available to

pay for information. The money is paid only if that information leads

to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the crime,

he said.

The chief added

that the department has been fortunate to solve all its major crimes since

he came on board.

The $25,000

in reward money, however, could help convince others to notify police

of crimes the department might not otherwise be aware of, he added.

"We may

get some information on drug activity, maybe about some trafficking that's

coming through town on the way to Atlanta," Murray said.

When he was

head of the homicide unit in Savannah, Murray said it was common to spend

between $5,000 and $10,000 for information to solve several related murders.

Murray added

that in the past if more funds for rewards in Peachtree City were necessary,

he felt he could ask council for the money.

Tennant said

the Police Department does an outstanding job, but he added that the city

is not "immune to crime."

"Public

safety needs to be priority one in our community, and criminals and would-be

criminals need to be sent a message that this council will fully support

the police department's effort to bring criminals to justice," Tennant

said.