Are you concerned about the alarming increase in serious crime in Utah Valley? Rape, murder, robbery, assault, etc.? We’d guess just about everybody is – but lgow many are concerned enoug to assist with their money? Right now every concerned citizen has a chance to demonstrate his support by donating to the reward fund being raised to assist law enforcement officers in breaking some serious unsolved crimes. The Footprinters, an organization which encourages good law enforcement, is coordinating the fund drive, Donations may be mailed to; Reward Fund, P.O, Box 717, Provo, Utah, 84601. The presumption is that in many crimes, someone, besides the criminal, has information. That person might have been a witness, heard a remark dropped by somebody. or actually have pieces of evidence. A reward for information leading to arrest and conviction, it is believed, might influence possessors of such evidence to turn it in. The reward fund drive was announced a week ago, Contributions have been exceedingly slow coming in. People are not rushing to send money – although some have responded, of course. There are some serious crimes unsolved – including the despicable rape-murder of a Utah County girl and some rape cases. The Herald urges that people catch the spirit of this drive and send money. Contributions of any denomination will be accepted. But it is hoped citizens who can afford it will send substantial checks in order to make the reward fund a viable, effective tool to assist in bringing criminals to justice, We urge people also to be mindful at every opportunity to personally assist enforcement officers with information on crimes or alleged criminals, Three recent cases here in the valley come to mind in which officers received valuable assists from citizens who were not afraid to get involved. in one instance, a young couple got the license niunber of an automobile which helped police in arresting a suspect in an assault case. In another, a citizen discovered a valuable piece of evidence in a robbery case and called it to the attention of the police department. And in a third instance, a bystander chased a suspect fleeing from a jewelry store robbery scene, tackled the suspect, and held hom until officers arrived. The reward fund idea has a great deal of merit. But it’s going to take financial support from the citizenry. If you’re concemed about crime – and everyone should be – now’s the time to demonstrate it with your dollars.