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The LAPD, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and several cooperating agencies announced on Sunday a $1 million reward for information that leads to fugitive ex-LAPD officer Christopher Dorner, who has vowed to keep killing officers and their families. "We will not tolerate this reign of terror," Villaraigosa said at an afternoon news conference. "Our dedication to catching this killer is steadfast. This search is not a matter of 'if.' It's a matter of 'when.' And I want Christopher Dorner to know that."
The reward, believed to be the largest ever put up locally, is unusual for more than its size. LAPD chief Charlie Beck said it was suggested by his wife, and the money was raised from donors that includes local governments and police departments, civic organizations, businesses such as the Dodgers and individuals. "It was amazingly, amazingly easy," Beck said. "When we reached out to members of this community, they gave immediately."
From the LA Times:
Police officers associations and law enforcement departments in Long Beach, San Diego, Irvine and Riverside are among the donors to the reward. The list also includes USC President Max Nikias, the Dodgers, AEG, the Safer CA Foundation, the Orange County Crimestoppers and six anonymous donors.
There have been no new confirmed sightings of Dorner, police said, and the manhunt in the Big Bear area was scaled back Sunday to about 25 officers on the ground. Authorities feel that all the cabins and homes where Dorner might have taken shelter have been cleared.
Also Sunday:
- Police stormed the Lowe's home improvement store in Northridge after a report came in of a possible Dorner sighting. Nothing was found and police said later the report "might have been related to a couple fighting outside the store." A separate tip early Sunday forced the evacuation of an apartment complex in San Bernardino. There was nothing there. One can only imagine how many calls authorities are getting about random black men, even if they aren't 270 pounds.
- The LAPD operated under a tactical alert Sunday night with both the Dorner manhunt and the Grammys on tap.
- The New York Times ran a story on Beck's decision Saturday to take a new look at the firing of Dorner. The move is an attempt to calm a shaky LA, the NYT said.
New York Times photo of Beck and Villaraigosa announcing reward: Monica Almeida
