Sen. Chuck Schumer wants $25K award given for social media tips that lead to arrest of terrorists

The feds should offer a minimum $25,000 award for any information generated by social media leading to the arrest of a terrorist planning an attack in the United States, Sen. Chuck Schumer said Sunday.

“There is no doubt about it, ISIS actively uses social media as one of their main weapons,” Schumer said.

“We are in a time when a terrorist a world away can corrupt a disaffected youth- and with just a few posts or tweets, can push them to plan or carry out acts of terror. We need the public’s eyes to alert authorities if they see someone they know writing things they know spell trouble.”

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The Department of Justice’s Reward for Justice program lets the secretary of state approve rewards for evidence that leads to the capture or conviction of anyone who commits or attempts terrorist acts, Schumer (D-N.Y.) noted.

But current law does not stipulate that a tip spawned by social media — like one from a Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram post — is entitled to a money payout.

Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/give-25k-award-terror-bust-social-media-tip-article-1.2595645