Letters to editor: Printing arrestees’ names

Step up to plate and print arrestees’ names

The Guest Commentary by Ed Robinson in the Aug. 8

Sentinel

raises some very interesting points. I agree that our hometown newspaper should be listing the names of all those arrested and/or charged with any crime as long as the law permits same. It seems to me that the Sentinel has not only the journalistic duty but also the responsibility to publish all that’s on the police blotter. In general, I think it’s all those age 17 or older. The days of “Mrs. Jones will be very mad if we publish her little Johnny’s name in the paper” are long gone in this society. My concern is that one of these lawbreakers might be one of my neighbors, and I would want to know about that. There might be an actual reduction in crime as the families of these lawbreakers see their family names in the paper and the embarrassment might have the parents and family members pay a little more attention to the comings and goings of their children and other family members. I went online to several local dailies and weekly newspapers that cover small towns and find that most all publish all that’s legal to publish. I also noticed that in the same Aug 8 edition of the Sentinel, the lead story right next to your police blotter info on page 14 that omits all the information that the public is entitled to is the story about the “Deputies arrest two in stolen car” that lists the names of the suspects. What is the difference? To the victims of the crimes in the police blotter stories, their loss and suffering is just as bad to them as to the person that had his car stolen.

I am reminded of the motto of the famous New York Times “All the News that’s fit to print.” I urge the management of the Ramona Sentinel to step up to the plate and do the same. If they can’t do that, I would like to know why.

Charles Teichert Jr.

RamonaVermin invasionI think Ed Robison has a great idea for controlling Ramona’s “vermin invasion” (Ramona Sentinel,Aug. 8, 2013). Ed wants the Sentinel to publish the names of people arrested so that he and other “good citizens” can keep an eye on those people, because they might be up to something! Great idea Ed, and maybe you can organize some good citizens to follow the people that have been arrested, like George Zimmerman did with Travon Martin?I for one like the idea of citizen’s justice, such as used to happen a lot in this country. Ed cites the fact that he was LAPD and lord knows they have never violated anyone’s rights, so it’s important that the Sentinel editors take his message to heart. Never mind that the people arrested are innocent until proven guilty, or maybe never cited, the Sentinel should list their names anyway so that the good citizens can keep an eye on them and report to the police if they look suspicious.Anyway, if they were arrested it must be that they have done something wrong, or were in the wrong place at the wrong time, it’s their fault anyway.Great idea Ed, another stake in the heart of a free nation. Stop Ramona’s vermin invasion!

Dave Patterson

Ramona