Cop notes are posted.
I noticed someone - maybe two - was upset about posting of names in the cop notes.
We had a discussion about this awhile back, and a poll showed overwhelming support of using names.
In some ways i can see not using them, but to be fair, if you are going to use any, then you have to use them all. (crime victims are an exception)
It is just like having open government. Reporting should also be open.
We - as news people - should not "censor" the news. It is what it is.
For the most part, I dont really believe it hurts people all that much. When I worked at brand-x people would come in and say it would make them lose their job if their DUI (for example) got in the paper. Do we really think their employer would not find out otherwise? Or it is as if it doesnt get in the paper, it didnt really happen.
It is almost as if keeping it out of the paper keeps anyone from knowing. That is the same mentality some public officials use as en excuse to not give out public information.
In reality, putting it out there can be a good thing. It can stop the rumor mill in its tracks because you can see on the record what the actual situation was.
My third argument would be that people are just too uptight. People are too consumed with image.
Yesterday we had a name on there that some of you recognized as a relative of a person who is pretty well known around here. This morning he (the relative) posted a comment. Yes it was a trial for this person, but having it mentioned publicly did not make it any worse. It may have even kept the rumor mill from making it worse than it was.
His reputation - and character - are not based on what people think or what happens around him.
He knows who he is, and events are not going to shake that.
That is something we all should aspire to.
Protecting one's image at all costs is just not the same thing as actually having a solid character.
I dont get any joy out of posting the cop notes. If people didnt read it, i wouldnt do it.
But it is a part of the public record.
It is a part of being open.
Being open is good.
We expect that of our public officials, and we should expect it of ourselves as well.
(If anyone wants to dredge up what happened with me at Brand-X, i would refer you to posts at the beginning of this blog when it started. I have talked about it. I have said what happened. I even apologized. I am at peace with it, so it doesnt bother me if people want to talk about it or criticize. Keeping it under wraps is not good for anyone, and I practice what i preach in that area.)
sorry not on same subject but i just heard there was another wreck at 7 clans yesterday. any news on that. how many wrecks does there have to be befor something is changed? i don't know what but anything is better than three wrecks in one week. d.
ReplyDeleteThe one yesterday was a fender bender.
ReplyDeleteTwo code green refusals, which means no one was hurt or transported to hospital.
of course, it idid make brand-x breaking news.
:)
JJ said......This morning he (the relative) posted a comment. Yes it was a trial for this person, but having it mentioned publicly did not make it any worse.
ReplyDeleteDon't over sell the matter. There is no trial for either of us.
In stark contrast to the predisposed disposition of some bigots, most black folks hold the utmost respect for law and order. I happen to believe I hold law enforcement in higher esteem than some who do the jobs.
If we are to have an orderly society, there must be laws. They must be enforced. We must abide by them.
Public opinion is separate from due process. People are eager to draw conclusions with the least amount of information. Those with the least knowledge offer the harshest opinions - because opinion is all they have to work with.
I think I am very consistent in making comment and taking ownership for my own words. I would be stupid to let folks who are brave enough to utter criticism but not own it to upset or distract me or mine.
We simply love the truth and find the truth in the powerful word of God and not through the blogs of the anonymous.
Today's scriptural reference: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”- Jeremiah 29:11
Why does it always have to come back to race with some people? So, is Charles saying the truth shall set them free? Is the truth something different than the small blurb in the police notes? That was the impression I got.
ReplyDeleteThe last comment and the comments yesterday are not very productive or usful in anyway. Give it up already.
ReplyDeleteHey JJ, it's Cathy here again - Checking up on ur AHSUM BLAWGZ!1eleventy. (/end sarcasm)
ReplyDeleteCheck it out, I rarely read your blog, and I assume very few ppl are actively and regularly reading it either. I know u dig the drama and the 37 hits compared to ur usual 3 or 4 visits a day. It's how blogs like urs work.
But why put a family up on UR chopping block and intentionally try 2 make it sound SOOPUR BAD when it's really not a big deal at all? "It's been a trial" *eye roll* STFU, dude just posted in a pretty much invisible blog LOL U make it sound like u are the center of their lives.
How many names were in the police notes you posted? But they picked one person and one name to harp on - How is that being public? How is that helpful? These ppl are not celebs, they are just normal ppl making it.
Srsly, what you're doing isn't helping in any way at all. It isn't positive, it doesn't help change anything for the better, and it's NEVER going to make a difference.
Had I my way, not only you but the Traveler and the ACPD would discontinue the use of identifying information in police notes. It doesn't help anyone.
Thank goodness only 12 people a month read your blog. It keeps the idiocy fairly contained.
<3 4eva,
Catheh!1ELEVENTY
To the other comment:
ReplyDeleteWhen the construction of the first casino began, I contacted the state representatives from Ponca City and from Tonkawa - I proposed that a service road should have been required with an exit from the west side casino parking lot so that all patrons would be forced to exit the casino from the rear of the site and then navigate back to US77.
The reasoning was to create a break from the casino environment with the lights and noise and energy of that dynamic.
If a motorist has to drive, first, away from the highway and then navigate back to it, I think there mind is more focused on safe entry into highway speed traffic. Unfortunately, it is not unusual that a patron of the casinos has their mind on the experience inside the facility as they drive directly into 65mph traffic, including transport vehicles.
There is no way they should have ever allowed for entrance directly from the lot into the highway traffic.
At a rate of once per week, someone will exit a aprking lot of one of those casinos and pull into my pathway. I simply plan for it. I remind those in my congregation who might drive that stretch about the hazard. I also mention it frequently to coworkers who may venture northward on occasion.
There should be a service road west of those casinos that leads motorists back around to the highway after giving them time to focus on operating a motor vehicle while merging into highway spped traffic.
How about a roundabout?
ReplyDeleteCathahahahaha, are you a wanna be gangsta? You're really not helping anyone if that is your intent.
Not at all, Anonymous. Not a "gangsta" (whatever that is) at all. I simply use the tools that are available to me to express my point.
ReplyDeleteMy point is that it's useless to post names and it's pathetic to gossip about someone one hardly knows (if at all) simply because one's life is uninteresting.
You have a great day sir!
Heard there wer over 150 students out from the High School with flu like symptoms...
ReplyDelete"We - as news people - should not "censor" the news." That logic says ICT Eagle & Ponca City News both "censor", as they publish the crime and not the name.
ReplyDelete"For the most part, I dont really believe it hurts people all that much." Question: What if? What if? Assuming ACPD MIGHT drop the charge, or find Officer at fault (heaven forbid?) Will you, jj go back & undo the "guilty" verdict already imprinted in A.C. citizen's minds. Just being facetious here. But, reality is not "innocent until.." but "guilty until..." Like it or not jj, publishing is not helpful. Maybe in D.C., or Topeka. But here all you're doing is continuing to feed the bottom feeders... doesn't stop the rumor mill, it fuels it. It still is astounding that of all the "notes" you "cut & paste", only 1 (ONE) person is pulled out for lampoon. BTW, Truth is still truth, whether I put my name on it or not. Some of us just can't put names for one reason or another. "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." -Shakespeare
You know, the relative in question, is one of my favorite people in Arkansas City ... if not favorite anywhere.
ReplyDeleteHad i not put it in, would you all have accused me of covering it up?
Why the indignation now?
Why not when that other person last week got popped for DUI?
Yet another question to be answered? Note that the county is progressing with a drug dog program, ie; they are buying a vehicle to transport. That being the case, does ACPD really need a dog. Fact why not support the dog that will be available to the whole county? JJ can you get us an answer from our exhalted chief?
ReplyDeleteFact why not support the dog that will be available to the whole county? JJ can you get us an answer from our exhalted chief?
ReplyDelete>>
I would imagine he would use the same argument he already uses. There is a drug dog in wellington i think? there is one in augusta and another in wichita.
He says it takes too much time to get the dog.
But he is raising the money himself.
He is not going to be getting any public money for it.
Be interesting to see what happens with the county getting one.
Reporting or not fact is they will lave certain names n reports off the desk where you get your info from. A couple of years ago a gun was fired into a house the owner of the car called and said it was his car that was loaned out , the owners name was never mentioned in any report, why could that be maybe to protect the persons reputation even when a gun was shot in the city. JJ i truely think that your argument is playing on the side of those most of the public does not trust, if you truely want justice n all eveidence to be presented then also print the officers name for each inncedent that is part of the public record to but you and others agencies seem to leave that out (why) ? . Might it spark the same attetion to ACPD as it does the ACUSSED offender???
ReplyDeleteBut he is raising the money himself.
ReplyDeleteHe is not going to be getting any public money for it.
JJ will you guarentee that not one penny of tax/budget money is ever spent on Wallace's pet project? What color are the lenses in your sun glasses. Beginning to think Band X, might have been right..
grrrrrr
ReplyDeletei was telling you what HE would say.
i do know that the commission has told him that they are not going to approve money for a drug dog, and that he would have to raise it.
whether some would be used ... i dont know.
and the next commission might decide to pay for it with tax money, you just never know what will happen.
the person is charge of brand-x is never right, even when he is lol.
James Jordan this is for you......
ReplyDeleteBrer Rabbit say, I'ma gonna whop you upside yo hed. Tar Baby he say nuthin. Brer Fox He just lay low........
10-4
ReplyDeletepoint taken
I too am interested in the Officers names that are making the arrests in the police notes. JJ will you print all the names of the involved parties. It will be interesting to know, as well as location and time.
ReplyDeleteThe officers aren't breaking the law. That is the point of the police notes or am I mistaken?
ReplyDeleteThat is the point
ReplyDeleteand charles is right too.
I was just remembering, in south carolina, on second offense dui,
you have to PAY to have your picture put in the newspaper, announcing your second offense.
you have to buy an ad on the legals page,with your name and picture.
wonder how people would feel about that around here.
Good grief JJ, don't give the city anymore new ideas to sock it to the citizens,they'll find a way to make tax payers shell out more dough.
ReplyDelete@October 13, 2009 6:18 PM
When the Chief presented the idea to the city, I recall him saying the dog will be used for the area and for other things. If you want more info, go to the cities web site and look under police dept. There is a page on the k9 dog. Better yet, you can also email him.
Better yet, you can also email him.
ReplyDelete>>
LOL
no i better not. i get in trouble when i email the chief.
dont know if that was intentional ... but it was kinda humourous.
Whether or not the names are published, by law they have to be public. The police have to give that information to the media.
ReplyDeleteThe dog is an interesting idea too. It almost appears that some people are afraid to have something around that might interfere with their drug business.
I agree and the dog is an excellent idea! The dog can also be used for tracking missing people as well as criminals. other cities in the area will also be able to use the dog. I say its time we have a k9 officer to start getting rid of the drugs that is bringing our town down.
ReplyDelete