Valley News du lieu suivant : Van Nuys, California • Page 7

Tuesday, Decembers, 1977 VALLEY NEWS Sectionl Page 7 Police have mixed reaction to rewards From page 1 vulge information the general public could not know. Los Angeles City Attorney Burt Pines was a bit more optimistic about the council action, saying: "Rewards are effective. Very often, they will make the difference and encourage someone to come forward. However, it's sad that we heed financial incentive for someone to do his or her civic 1 Elmer Lindberg, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Los Angeles criminal-intelligence division, offered the most positive assessment of the reward action, saying: "Reward money is a magnet to bring forth information, there's no doubt about it." In an unusual case such as the hillside strangulations, a reward can coax out information that otherwise might never be revealed, he noted. "I certainly find no fault with these rewards.

If you can solve the case, that would be fine," Lindberg added, calling it "cheap at the price" if it works. He said the FBI "will pay cash on the barrelhead" to informants who supply details on some cases the bureau is trying to crack. On Monday, the Los Angeles City Council formally offered $25,000 in reward money for information leading to the apprehen- sion of a suspect or suspects in the strangler case. Last week, county supervisors posted a $100,000 reward. Television station KTTV, Channel 11, offered $10,000 through its "secret witness" program.

And, Harold L. Myers, a Glendale attorney, put up $5,000 of his own money as a reward in the case. One major difference between the city and county offers is the manner in which the claim must be satisfied. The council made the money payable on the condition its members are convinced that the information supplied results in the apprehension of the "person or persons responsible." The county reward takes it a step further, making the "arrest and conviction" of the suspects a condition for the payoff. Passage of the council resolution offering the reward in the strangler case marks only the second time such a bonus has been offered.

In 1974, following the "alphabet bombing" which killed three people at Los Angeles International Airport, the council posted a reward for information in the case. However, Muharem Kurbego- vic, a Yugoslavian immigrant, was later arrested by police and not as the result of a tipster seeking the reward, so no money was paid out in that case. Man questioned in Strangler case arraigned on robbery Plan to alter city public works board sharply hit By JOYCE PETERSON Members of the City Boa rd of Public Works came up Monday with a long-awaited reply to a plan to reorganize their department and eliminate their Not surprisingly, they didn't like it. Board members released a two-volumn, three-inch-high report marked by scathing criticism of City Administrative Officer C. Erwin Piper who recommended the public works shakeup.

It also contained: Biographies of all five commissioners including a 12-page background sheet on President Warren Hollier describing him as a "dynamic leader and humble servant to the citizenry of the city of Los Angeles." One full volume of "unsolicited" letters and postcards from citizens and organizations saying what a good job the Board of Public Works is doing. The report, filed with City Council's Governmental Efficiency Committee, was designed to discredit a highly-critical CAO management audit report released last July. In it Piper recommended that the big $150 million-a-year public works operation be split into separate departments of Sanitation, Public Improvements, Transportation and General Services. Piper's plan also would depose Hollier and his colleagues as members of the city's only full time, salaried commission. The CAO had claimed that a "plural executive, comprised of political appointees, cannot effectively manage the magnitude and diversity of programs for which the Board of Public Works is responsible." "It is interesting to note," replied the board "that the City Administrative Officer is, himself, a political appointee." Commissioners also said that if the concept of a "plural executive" is invalid it would follow that the 15-member City Council was not capable of handling projects of "far greater magnitude." "Those familiar with the quality of the management audits conducted by the Chief Administrative Officer were not surprised by.

the results of his latest effort," their report said. "He again opted to recommend smoke rather than substance." They said the CAO proposal would lead to fragmentation and was simply "change for the sake of change." Piper's report is the latest in a long series of recommendations for reorganization of the Board of Public Works to put it on a part-time basis like other city commissions. However the new move could have added push. In his second term inauguration speech last July, Mayor Tom Bradley said he planned to give the proposed reorganization top-level priority. Security tightened at college due to strangler threat A 24-year-old Hesperia man who had been questioned about the Hillside Strangler killings was arraigned Monday on a robbery charge unrelated to the mass murder case.

Bennett Merritt. a clothing store clerk, pleaded innocent at his Los Angeles Municipal Court arraignment Monday morning and was ordered to appear Dec. 19 fora preliminary hearing. Bail was set at S20.000. Members of the Los A.ngeles police Hillside Strangler Task Force arrested Merritt Friday night in connection with a reported rape and robbery of an unidentified woman Nov.

12. LAPD spokesman Lt. Dan Cooke said over the weekend it did not appear from the initial investigation that Merritt was involved in the series of 10 young female killings but that detectives were checking out all possibilities. Investigators also said Merritt. when arrested, had women's clothing in his auto, a gray Cadillac with a white top.

Sepulveda neighbors of the 10th victim linked to the strangler case. 18-year-old Lauren Rae Wagner, said they saw her being taken into a large car with a light top and a dark bottom by two large persons An LAPD spokesman said Merritt's sister contends the clothing was hers and that she had given it to him to be taken to the cleaners. Five units contain $10,000 blaze at Studio City shop Five Los Angeles city fire units responded to an early morning fire at a thrift shop at 11925 Ventura Blvd. in Studio City Monday. The fire, which broke out at about 6 a.m., occurred at the Holli- day Humane Thrift Shop causing damages estimated at $10,000.

Firefighters contained the blaze in 12 minutes, a spokesman said. The official said the cause of the fire was faulty wiring. ByOWAINESPER The Hillside Strangler murder case triggered a stepup of security precautions at Mission College in San Fernando, a Valley News survey revealed Monday. However, other institutions are operating in much the same manner as they did prior to the revelation of the first of 10 killings last Oct. 18.

Officials at major department stores in the area indicated that the normal expansion of security personnel during the Christmas season will be sufficient to assure the safety of employees and customers. Last Thursday Joseph K. Holts, captain. Safety and Police Services, Mission College, issued a memorandum to all members of the college staff, suggesting precautionary procedures. "We have an unique campus," Holts noted.

"It's spread around and the buildings are located throughout the city of San Fernando and parts of Los Angeles." Asked if there are any dimly lighted areas, Holts answered: "Are you kidding? We have plenty of dark spots." Since the murder spree of the Hillside Strangler, requests by women for escorts to their vehicles have increased sharply. Holts revealed. His memorandum urged students and employees to: Leave work in groups. Walk together to 'the parking areas. Be protective of each other.

Do not stop to chat on the street after Do not stand around and converse after classes are over at night. When walking to vehicles or bus stops, be observant. Be wary of anyone who is loitering or approaches on foot or in a vehicle Note license numbers (especially letters) and descriptions of vehicles persons. While waiting at bus stops, stand behind bench. Be aware that the personi(s) perpetrating these crimes MAY be" posing as police officers.

If approached by anyone not in uniform driving an unmarked vehicle demand positive cation which should include a badge and an indentification card with the officer's photo and "the name of the department for which he works. Do not accept a badge alone. If still in doubt, call the tocaJ police to verify the person's true identity before accompanying him anywhere. Men posing as poliecmen are considered as dangerous by Holts "In order to get to a young woman at night, a person has to gajn her confidence," Holts explained. "One of the easiest ways is to act as a policeman." The campus security force Mission College consists of only five men, two of whom work in a patrol car.

Hence, accord ing to. Holts, it is not possible handle all the requests by women for escorts to their vehicles. In contrast to Cal Stale Xorthridge, L.A. Valley College in- Van Nuys and Pierce Colleg.in, Woodland Hills, the Mission College security force is on campus only from 6:30 a.m. through- 41 p.m.

on week days. The other three institutions have men on duty 24 hours a "Consequently we have to work closely with the San Fernando and Los Angeles Police Departments," Holts declared. Officials at CSUN, Valley and -Pierce indicated that they have received no increase in requests- for protection since the outbreak, of the murders Major obstacles confronting police in manhunt for strangler From page 1 Part of this is due to increased concern by parents who are reporting more quickly when they fear their daughter is missing, he said. Cooke said a decision will be made later in the week on whether more staff is needed in the missing persons bureau. It will be based on the number of pending cases, he said.

The possibility the strangler or stranglers may be posing as police officers has prompted concern at San Fernando's Mission College. A memo was issued to all college staff last week urging the employees to take certain precautions. Several routine warnings were issued to the staff such as leaving in groups and being extra observant. Genuine suede ranch coats Where else? Rugged ranch coats at a knockout low price. Where else but Ohrboch's? Big.

brawny coats crafted genuine split cowhide with thick sherpa-lcok acrylic collars, front back yoke trim and pocket linings A great under-the-tree surprise for rugged individualist on your gift list. In brown or fan, sizes 36-46 Men's Leather Suede at the OhrbocKs near you course ALL OHRSACH'S STORES OPEN LATE EVERY MIGHT TIL CHRISTMAS! WfLSMRE Fairfax PANORAMA CITY. Pwthenta at Van Nuys OELAWO FASHION SOUAKE, HawJhome at Carson. Torranee; LOS CERHTTOS WALL 60S Fwy SouT) Crrnos GLENDALE OAJI.EWA, Central at Broadway AN OhrbacJVs stores open MOD -Sal 10am tiMO open Sunday noor 7 Sorry no mail or phone hancfy We accept BankAmerfcard and Matfer Charge' The softer flowing fleece robes Where else? Cozy pastels, a cozy-worm robe and price. Where else but Beautifully styled a fuller cut with bib from soft pteating self-covered buttons and side seam pockets A gift that will delight her and comfort you Choose the soft color trot compliments her best-rose blue, jode or aqua Amef triacetate, nylon Sizes P-S-M-L loungeweor at trie Ohrbach near you of course AH OhrtMctTs stores open tote ewy night IB Chrfetmnl WILSHIRE al Fairfax PAWORAMA CUT.

ParThrrwa at Van N.jy* OELAWO FASWOW SQUARE. HawJhorne Orson. Torrarce. LOS 605 Fwy al South S1 Orrnos. GLEMDALE GALLERIA.

OMrjrt at 8 wwJway Of.rt.ach stores, open Mon -Sat 10 am 10 p.m 7 Sorry no mail or phone orders Use your Otitiacti Charge Plate 1 we atto accept and Matter cnargel.