What is being hidden from the community?
Many members of the community like to keep an close watch on activities and news in our area. It can help us learn more about the people, and be more informed and protected against crime. When crimes or criminal activity is reported in a neighborhood or city, it can help the local residents understand the importance of security.
The Journal newspaper here in International Falls routinely publishes information about recent activity from the police department. Usually vehicular accidents, theft or robberies. This helps us see trends in crime, and how to protect ourselves from it in the future.
But it has come to my attention and a few others in the area, that The Journal or the police who provides the information is severely filtering the information the public receives. Sometimes the police may filter information as to not disrupt a ongoing investigation, and this is not what I refer to.
But for instance, in the past couple of months, the Journal has reported several robberies in the local area. This is common as crimes are committed in nearly every area. However the Journal or police have not reported many of the robberies. You may look back and see 2 or 3 incidents, but the actual numbers are staggering.
The local police have received dozens of robbery complaints over the recent past, over 2 dozen in recent weeks. Usually localized to a specific neighborhood or area. But the people of International Falls are not being informed of this. Certain areas in our city have been rampant with robbery recently, with some areas being the majority target, and citizens may not even be aware of it.
The citizens need to know about these crimes to better understand if they are being targeted, or to watch and help protect other neighbors.
I ask that the local police and The Journal please respond and explain the reasoning for filtering these criminal activities, and how it may be remedied as soon as possible.
I also request the local police release the actual information regarding recent criminal activity to the people of this city.
