Police Reject Donation in Search for Girl
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PETALUMA, Calif. — Well-financed volunteers in the search for Polly Klaas, the 12-year-old girl who was kidnaped at knifepoint from her home Oct. 1, offered law enforcement authorities $50,000 to hire an extra investigator to help search for the girl.
Officials declined.
“We don’t need any help. If we did, we’d ask for it,” Petaluma Police Chief Dennis DeWitt said.
Although they have received thousands of tips, Petaluma police and the FBI have reported no progress in the case.
The Polly Klaas Foundation, which includes Polly’s parents, voted last week to spend the money to hire a police investigator with experience in solving child abductions.
But DeWitt said his 10-member investigative team has enough personnel, including FBI resources.
“If we need 200 people today, we can get 200 people,” he said. “If we get a hot lead, it can be followed up right away.”
Jay Silverberg, a spokesman for the volunteer foundation said, “We’ll abide by their decision.”
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