The Selma City Council is one step closer to passing an ordinance that would create a fund to reward people for providing information that helps solve crimes.

According to Corey Bowie, council president, the ordinance is on first read and could be passed at the next council meeting.

“Safety is always paramount for any municipality, and any adage that you can use to combat the crime is always an asset,” Bowie said.

Selma Mayor George Evans brought the idea before the council in April after a rash of murders. Three murders had happened in 2015 at that time, but there have been several since, bringing the total up to approximately seven.

Arrests have been made in three of those cases for the murder of Crystal Johnson, who was found on the side of County Road 74 in February, Jimmy Hudgens, who was shot and killed on Dallas Avenue in March and Derrick Levon Dower Jr., who was shot and had his body dumped in Orrville.

There are at least four murders that have gone unsolved this year. Taffine Berry was shot and killed outside of a nightclub on Marie Foster Street in March, Jimmie Wayne Griffin was found shot to death inside of a burned out trailer in April, Jesscilus Phillips was found shot to death in his driveway near Craig Field in May and Charles Simpson was found shot to death on the sidewalk on Mechanic Street in June.

“I really think it will help unsolved murders,” Evans said. “I really think if that figure is high enough, someone will think twice about killing somebody because they know someone else will know and somebody may tell to get that $10,000, $15,000 or $30,000.”

Bowie, who has talked to some of the family members of the people that were murdered, said the families have been pushing for the fund.

“They are all in for this reward system. It won’t be the all in to end all, but it could be some type of incentive to try to help bring the suspects to justice,” Bowie said. “A lot of times when there is a monetary incentive involved, people’s memories seem to be a little bit more crystal clear.”

The fund will start with $3,000 in it, which is the most the city is allowed to contribute to it at one time according to law, but the city is hoping citizens and businesses will contribute to it, making the reward more enticing.

“The more the substantial amount of money that is in the pool, the chances are people may feel more inclined to come forward,” Bowie said. “The police department does a very admirable job, but they can’t be everywhere to cover it. That is why hopefully this will be incentive to try to get the community more involved.”

Selma Police Chief William Riley is open to idea and welcomes it.

“I’m very pleased with it. I wish that the statue would allow more [money from the city] to be placed in the fund, but we have to deal with what we have. Every little bit helps in the fight against crime,” Riley said. “We’re all in this together, and government can’t do it alone. It is going to take the citizens as well as the businesses working together to make a difference.”

The money will mainly be used for crimes like murder, but it could be used toward lesser crimes based on the council’s decision.

According to Evans, the money won’t be rewarded for just giving information to the police department. The money will be awarded once someone is arrested and convicted of the crime.

“Monies deposited into the Crime Award Fund shall be restricted and used for the payment to any persons who shall give information leading to the arrest and conviction of a person or persons whose willful misconduct has jeopardized the rights, safety or property of persons within the City of Selma,” the ordinance states.

Evans said once the fund is opened, he hopes to have something at City Hall to let citizens know how much money is in the fund.