Crime information made public
Sunday's column on how even minor crime news -- in this case the discharging of a weapon in Canton -- needs to be shared with the public brought several responses, one from attorney Anton J.S. Keating, Esq. He gave me permission to reprint his email:
Peter, thank you for insisting that the authorities be required to supply us with accurate information. We can never solve problems if we distort reality. Every time some jerk fires a weapon in our City it should be reported and made public. Residents should not be treated as children and be denied the facts. Yes We Can Handle The Truth!
Firing a weapon is always Disorderly Conduct, perhaps Malicious Destruction and Reckless Endangerment.
I am reminded of the Blitz in W.W.2 especially since as a baby, born in London in 1943, my family and I were lucky to survive. The satirist Tom Lehrer wrote a song about Werhner Von Braun. "Once they go up who cares where they come down?? That's not my department said Verhner Von Braun "
Keep up the good work.
Regards Anton.
When I asked Mr. Keating whether I could post his e-mail, he responded:
Hi,
Please use my comments in any way that you think might be useful. Public officials and all others employed by taxpayers must understand that we do not blame them for the crime in our City. ... The causes have their origins long before all of us were born. No one is expecting some simple or immediate solution from these employees. However when they distort reality to advance their own agendas or ambitions, they actually do more damage and prevent even the possibility of any solution. When was the last time that someone was charged with misfeasance, malfeasance or non-feasance??? What about obstruction of justice? What about simply firing them or disciplining them in some other way as would happen in the private sector??Other countries prohibit the police, as a group, from engaging in political activity, thereby removing the temptation to falsify facts and theoretically freeing them to be public servants without having to fear political retribution for being honest.
Keep on keeping on! Anton
