By Page Six | Created at 2025-01-13 17:20:22 | Updated at 2025-01-17 07:23:35
3 days ago
David Spade offered $5,000 to anyone who successfully catches and reports arsonists in Los Angeles.
The comedian took to his Instagram Stories on Saturday to talk about the recent uptick of people starting fires as California continues to be ravaged by wildfires.
“I’m out in California and people are saying there’s guys lighting fires out there, make this s–t worse,” he told his followers while sitting inside his car.
“So, if you can find someone lighting a fire, and you catch somebody, and you get the cops to bust them and throw them in jail, I’ll give you $5,000. So, keep your eyes peeled and do what you can out there.”
The “Grown Ups” actor, 60, was referring to the homeless man detained by LAPD for allegedly using a blowtorch to light up discarded Christmas trees and trash in Woodland Hills.
The man was spotted at the same time that the Kenneth Fire had started, locals said on Thursday.
However, law enforcement could not officially charge him with arson because they couldn’t prove he had a direct connection to the fires.
Following his call to action, Spade received mixed messages from fans, with some thanking him while others expressed concern that the reward may encourage more arson.
“Love this . Nice one spade,” one person applauded.
“All right Davey Boy put your money where your mouth is at a baby! Finally a man that makes sense,” another user said.
“Good intention but not good David. You know peeps be desperate for $5000 and will start lighting fires and framing homeless,” one user warned.
“I get the sentiment but this is dangerous. And it would take years to get them locked up? He likely will never have to pay,” someone else wrote.
Like Spade, celebs have been doing everything they can to give back to the community as they reel from the Jan. 7 fires, which are still burning.
Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS brand donated clothing and underwear to displaced families while Halle Berry said she dropped off her “entire closet” to a fire relief pop-up.
Beyoncé also gave a whopping $2.5 million to the LA Fire Relief Fund while Jamie Lee Curtis contributed $1 million to those affected.
And just like many Angelenos, several stars lost their homes to the fires, including Paris Hilton, Melissa Rivers, Eugene Levy, Miles Teller and Adam Brody.
