The Board of Mayor and Aldermen took an unusual step Friday by approving an additional $5,000 for information leading to the capture of Rafael McCloud.

It’s a bold move on the part of the city to get involved in a manhunt for an escaped prisoner, and even bolder yet for the money to come from the city’s general fund budget.

Mayor George Flaggs Jr.’s announcement during a Friday press conference on the status of the search for McCloud was backed up by an appropriate comment from the mayor, “I just think we have to do everything we can to make sure our community is safe, and $5,000 is just a drop in the bucket in a $30 million budget.

“We’re ready to do whatever we have to do to provide the resources to this community and to the law enforcement officers to make sure we can capture him.”

Rafael McCloud is facing trial accused of the abduction, rape and brutal murder of Sharen Wilson, a 69-year-old woman who lived alone and was well-liked by her neighbors and co-workers. He is a very dangerous man and needs to be caught before he injures someone else, and one of the responsibilities of city government is to ensure the safety of its residents.

By putting up a reward, and offering to provide the resources law enforcement needs to catch him, the board is literally putting its money where its mouth is, and is should be commended.

And having set the example, it’s time for the public to step up.

If anyone has information on McCloud, they need to come forward and give it. As Sheriff Martin Pace said, the police don’t want your name, just your information.

It’s time to make a bold move of your own.