Local resident receives reward for reporting arson
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

A local resident is the recipient of a $3,500 reward from the Georgia Arson Control Program, Inc. The program provides rewards up to $10,000 to persons who provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for arson.

Dwayne Herrington, Millen/Jenkins County fire chief, said that only two rewards have been presented to Jenkins County citizens since 1996, including the latest one.

"We just want to make people aware of the program," said Chief Herrington.

Reward nominees from the following sources are considered: individuals who provide information by calling the toll-free Arson Hot Line in the State Fire Marshal's Office at 1-800-282-5804; individuals nominated by a fire chief, police chief, prosecuting attorney or fire marshal; and individuals who provide information by writing to: Georgia Arson Control, Inc., P. O. Box 956158, Duluth, GA 30095-9503.

James W. Swindell of Georgia Arson Control, Inc. noted that procedures have been established to safeguard the identity of informants who wish to remain anonymous.

Since 1979, approximately $1,333,000 have been awarded to informants statewide.