FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Tom Odom frowned and shook his head this week, then asked not to be quoted about what he thinks of those who stole 19 American flags and several flag poles recently along Veterans Drive and at the scenic entrance to Fairhope.

He doesn’t understand why anyone would do something like that, but it has happened before. And just like a couple years ago, the local office of Woodmen of the World/Omaha Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Agency stepped up to replace the flags.

But this time, Odom has also taken one additional step.

He has organized an effort to provide a small reward for the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the theft and vandalism of the flags and flag poles.

“I was talking to a friend about it and he just handed me a hundred dollars,” Odom said Thursday morning, standing near one of the places where a new American flag would replace one that had been stolen. “We’ve now got $400 in a bank account to be used for the reward.”

He enlisted the help of Joe Birindelli, a former Fairhope Veteran of the Year and current co-chair of the Fairhope Veterans Memorial Committee, who set up an account at BBVA Compass Bank in Fairhope.

Odom said they have not decided how long to maintain the fund, or how it will be used if an arrest and conviction never happens, but the money might be donated to help build the Veterans Memorial.

Odom, who is Mayor Tim Kant’s father-in-law, was mainly responsible in 2004 for having a stretch of road renamed Veterans Drive and lined with flags to honor American veterans. Lisa Bishop, a field representative of the local Woodmen of the World agency, has also been involved since the first flags were donated by her company that year.

“This road and these flags are dedicated to all veterans of all wars,” Odom said.

Police Chief Bill Press said he endorsed the reward idea and has plans to establish a crime stopper program in Fairhope, to receive anonymous tips on criminal activity.

“The flags and poles were stolen between March 31 and April 2,” Odom said, noting that signs announcing the current $400 reward will be posted around town.

To report information about the theft of the flags and flag poles, phone calls should be made to the Fairhope Police Department at 928-2385.

Donations to the reward fund can be made to “Veterans Drive Flag Reward Fund” in account number 2522158766 at the BBVA Compass Bank on North Section Street.