We want to do our part in crime fighting by telling the Police everything we know about the crimes we see and the criminals who walk our streets; we really do. But we are concerned about our safety.
We understand the promise and offer of confidentiality but cannot understand why the Police will tell the press what the neighbor said he saw and heard – sometimes with full description of the neighbour and cardinal points – that led to the arrest of the perpetrator (s). The Press seems all to happy to broadcast these details for the world to hear. For the Press, this is a scoop.
Later, after we have been “outed” and the perpetrator has become a “suspect” and released, we become targeted and the vicious cycle continues.
So we wish to offer some training first in English to the Police, followed by some training in diplomacy. In fact we call upon the Minister, who always encourages listeners to tell, to implement that training in diplomacy for our Police. In future we want to hear this “ …acting on an anonymous tip, and with keen investigation…” and not “ … the neighbor called the Police and upon arrival…”.
Here’s another thought. We cannot continue to protect underage youths who involve themselves in criminal activity by not releasing their names. If their identities are to be kept secret, can you really expect the proverbial village to help implement corrective measures? Besides, can you really try them in secret? Better yet, shouldn’t they be publicly whipped for double embarrassment and for the further embarrassment of their parents?
Let us begin to nip this thing in the bud.
