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Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:24 PM CDT
LETTER: What prevents Crime Stoppers from abuse?
By RUTH LEIGH, Charleston
A number of anonymous bloggers, many who say they are afraid to publish their names, have recently commented about JG/T-C publicity on the topics of school administration, a recent drug task force blitz, and Crime Stoppers.
Some bloggers addressed the impact of ineffective administration on middle and high school student discipline policy and faculty retention policy. One blogger felt safe presenting anonymously some solid research which challenged the misstatement of a local school board member. Does retribution await citizens and employees who speak openly about local educational policy?
Bloggers commenting on the recent task force blitz questioned whether the politics of program funding, both state and national, and the number of unoccupied jail cells motivated this blitz, its timing and publicity. How are consistent law enforcement demands for increased funding and tougher prosecution reconciled with JG/T-C’s editorial promotion of Coles County as safe and crime free?
Anonymous bloggers also questioned a Crime Stopper article which referred to anonymous tips as an “additional tool” which has led to six arrests and “a total of $500 in awards, ranging from $50 to $100” per tip. It does no harm to question the idea that some law enforcement official (who shall remain anonymous) slips some cash (the only anonymous form of currency available) to some tipper (who shall forever remain anonymous). Who takes legal responsibility for oversight? What Crime Stopper policy keeps this anonymous process from disintegrating into retribution or bribery? What policy preserves essential constitutional rights of the accused — rights to privacy, to due process, the right to face accusers?
How well I understand that speaking up risks retribution, false defamation, set-ups, arrests with handcuffs, time in jail cells, restrictive bond demands, and extended prosecution used for no reason other than to silence speech that seeks due process and redress.
Yet I risk repeating the idea that law enforcement should protect me and all other citizens when we are accused, not violate our constitutional rights according to the wishes of our accusers. Protected citizens aren’t afraid to ask government officials for due process. Protected citizens are less likely to be intimidated and damaged by malicious defamation and propaganda. A state’s attorney working for all citizens strives as diligently to protect the innocent as to prosecute the guilty. Clear published policy for community policing would help citizens work with law enforcement to strike a sorely needed balance in Coles County.
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father bob wrote on Mar 13, 2008 4:38 PM: