Columbus Fire Chief Martin Andrews says his department is willing to pay big bucks to halt a recent rash of suspected arsons.
His department is offering a $5,000 reward, funded through a legislative grant program, to anyone who offers authorities information that leads to the arrest and conviction of suspects in as many as a dozen suspected arsons on the north side of town that have occurred in the last 10 months.
Andrews told the Columbus City Council on Tuesday that CFD and the state fire marshal’s office were distributing fliers to residents in north Columbus encouraging them to report anything they may know about the arson rash. He said to be eligible for the reward, citizens must call Crime Stoppers (800-530-7151) where they can give their tips anonymously. Crime Stoppers gives numbers to tipsters that allow the organization to reward them without requiring identification.
“In no way will they be identified, but they will be rewarded,” Andrews said. “There are no consequences (for reporting the information).”
Andrews said most of the fires being investigated as arson have involved structures, but some have involved vehicles. He said the incidents had become more noticeable in the last six months.
His department has already distributed “several hundred” fliers in north Columbus, he said, and the state fire marshal’s office will soon distribute more.
“We’re trying to saturate that area with fliers to get the information out there,” Andrews said. “It’s important to work together as a community to solve this problem. … My biggest worry is that some innocent person will get hurt or killed because of these fires or one of my firefighters will get hurt or killed responding to it.”
Columbus police are also helping investigate the suspected arsons. Though officers have not arrested any suspects, Police Chief Tony Carleton said the investigation is progressing well.
“I feel good about the progress we’ve made,” Carleton said. “We have some good leads.”
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
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