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'It Needs To Stop': Rewards Offered For Tips To Identify Those Setting Fires On MSU Game Days

EAST LANSING (WWJ) - There are a lot of jokes cracked about burning couches at Michigan State University — but city leaders aren't laughing.

East Lansing officials are now offering cash rewards for information about those responsible for arson on campus.

Following last week's MSU football game, there were seven fires set in East Lansing, according to the city.

East Lansing Police Lt. Scott Wriggelsworth told WWJ Newsradio 950 these fires are typically in MSU student housing or off-campus student living areas.

"We had two or three set in the Cedar Village area after last Saturday's Oregon win," Wriggelsworth said.

"What they do is they draw a crowd: twenty-five or 30 people standing around a fire," he said. "Those 30 or 40 people send social media pictures out to their hundreds of their friends and then everybody's flocking to the area."

Officials warn these fires are extremely dangerous to other people in the area and to first responders that are called to extinguish them. Also, they say, responding to these fires multiple times in a single night can affect the response time
to those in the community in need of medical attention.

Wriggelsworth said they're determined to hold those responsible for the fires accountable.

"These are intentionally set fires to draw crowds and we're just asking for the public's help," he said. "If they know who's doing this, or have any video, digital evidence on their phone, pictures of who's doing this to please come forward, because we've gotta have this stop. It needs to stop."

Wriggelsworth said the amount of reward will depend on the information given and the specific case.

"Suffice it to say it's a significant chunk of the money when the tips that come in do lead to criminal charges.  We're not talking about $25 or $50."

Anyone with information/evidence is asked to call 1-877-ELPD-TIP or send an email to elpdtips@elpolice.com. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

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