Do you agree with law enforcement records being printed in the newspaper?
By imadriscoll
@imadriscoll (2228)
United States
December 8, 2006 4:28pm CST
Do you agree with newspapers that publish law enforcement reports? For instance, I used to own a newspaper and we would print two different kinds of law enforcement reports, one was Magistrate Court, this would usually contain who got a speeding ticket, open container, failure to secure a child in a car seat etc. The other came from the Sheriffs department and might include who was in an accident, domestic disputes, drug related charges and the like.
I know that there were weeks that we would run out of room so we either wouldn't print these or hold them for a week (it was a small weekly paper with about 1,800 subscribers). If we didn't print them there would be a few people whou would call and complain that they weren't in them. We would also have people call us and request that we would leave them out of the paper if they knew that something they had done would be printed.
So what do you think? To print them or not to print them?
17 responses
@BulletsMama (221)
• United States
9 Dec 06
print it...definately! If people don't want their name splattered on the police beat....don't do the crime. it's public knowledge! Too bad for them!
1 person likes this
@missdeevi (6)
• United States
9 Dec 06
Innocent until proven guilty. Many of the listings are printed up without having been proven in court. IE Police arrested Sylvester SoAndSo for breaking an entering on October 14th. Printed in the paper OCtober 15th. Unproven criminal case, therefore it could reasonably be considered slander or defemation of character if proven innocent. I could understand if the person was convicted and sent to jail, or it was blatant and acknowledged by the criminal and would in some way effect the community and its residence directly, but otherwise, it is nobodies business, and it's creating a bias against the person who may not have committed the offense. Plain and Simple, there should be a determining factor other than it's police and community news that governs what should and should not be printed in the paper.
1 person likes this
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
9 Dec 06
If it is news then it should be printed. I do read what has gone on in my community because sadly that might be the only way I know what my neighbors are like. I am rural so it is not such an issue. the renters across the street are the usual police calls. such a shame. it is public so printable. and if people where aware that they would be printed about then maybe some crime levels would drop.
1 person likes this
@sanell (2112)
• United States
9 Dec 06
I think it is cool that some papers do print the law enforcement reports, besides it is rather helpful in case there are predators out there or something. It is all public knowledge and makes for an interesting reading that is for sure so I say definitely print the information
1 person likes this
@chiquita1977 (1706)
• United States
9 Dec 06
I do not think they should be able to print this stuff it is kinda like evading there privacy.I hate it when they publicise these things.i understanding doing accidents but not people who got arrested for this or that.because that is how people spread rumors when they read papers even if you did not do it they still believe you did because you got picked up for it.
1 person likes this
@janet069 (663)
• United States
9 Dec 06
I work for a paper and we do not publish these but another local paper does. There have been times when someone was accused of something they did not do and they got really mad at the paper. If a person is convicted of a crime in court then I see no reason not to print it. Criminals have no rights and innocent people have the right to know who the criminals are. As far as speeding tickets and minor offenses like that I don't believe anyone has a need to print them. Small towns are typically nosey and gossipy enough without adding fuel to the fire.
1 person likes this
@missdeevi (6)
• United States
9 Dec 06
I think that things having to the do with the community, that directly affects the the town or county and its residence should be printed, but stuff concerning ones personal life, that is of no relevance and has no spot in public news. IF someone feels like they should be in the paper, they need to go out and do something a little bit more noteable than commiting a crime, or being involved in an accident or failing to follow rules put there for your own safety.
1 person likes this
@starr4all (2863)
•
9 Dec 06
Definately! If someone breaks the law it should be printed. If nothing else, then you know who the criminals are in your neighborhood. Also, it is a good deterrant. Maybe that will stop someone from doing something they shouldn't do. Nice topic! Good job!
1 person likes this
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
9 Dec 06
Hey, i used to love reading them. I don't know why. Maybe I felt that at least thing caught those people listed, so they must be doing somehing right them.
It also helped me be more knowledgable about what was going on in my town.
Say Harry from a couple days ago that just lives a couple street over was arrested for drunk driving. Well, I would certainly know to avoid his street in he future.
I think it might have also acted as a determent to those that did not want to end up in the paper. It is bad enough if you have to face legal actions or tickets/fines, but would you really want your neighbors knowing about it?
1 person likes this
@medooley (1873)
• United States
9 Dec 06
This is something that I have absolutely no opinion on. I think that it should be up the each individual newspaper to decide if they want to print them or not.
If people want to know about others events that are public record, they can go to the court house and request information that way.
1 person likes this
@AlmightyBigfoot888 (553)
• United States
9 Dec 06
i don't mind except when they get into personal things about the person who did a certain crime..... personal things belong with that person, no one else.
@redyellowblackdog (10629)
• United States
9 Dec 06
When someone does something that is a crime, it is not personal anymore after the police become involved.
Don't want your privacy invaded? Don't commit crimes.
Crime reports should be printed in the paper so innocent people can know who the criminals are.
@vishnu1412 (31)
• India
9 Dec 06
Hai friend, Very nice of you to have brought out such an interesting topic for discussion. Yes, this is a topic which many of us dont know the depth about. The law decisions are so nice to read. But the real implications of it on many of us and the industries, we never happen to think so much in depth. Its really exciting to read them in newspapers. But by bringing out these details in newspapers, are the print media doing right? Yes as a public, it feels good for me to read. But considering the harmful effects it might have, it is safer not to bring out them in newspapers. Always "PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE". Opinions can differ. Goodluck
@srhelmer (7029)
• Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
8 Dec 06
If I owned a paper, that and obituaries would be the only things I printed. Those are the only reason people read the paper on a daily basis.
