In breaking news of the past 24 hours, information was released by the Baltimore Police Department about a series of rapes that happened recently in the city. Apparently, some of the rapes have happened near bus stops, with the offender approaching women waiting for the next terminal and making threats to successfully lure them into dimly-lit areas. One victim is a 55-year old woman who was waiting for the bus after a late night church service.
The question raised by the Baltimore Sun: with more than five rapes over the past two weeks, and some that are believed to be related, why are we just hearing about it now?
The Baltimore Police Department is on Twitter @BaltimorePolice, but they’re known for tweeting about shootings that have happened, arrests that have been made and people who’ve been injured. Notice all three of those items are read in the past tense. Tweeting about what’s happening now, specifically in the circumstance of the aforementioned rapes, could raise awareness about predators and possibly in the end, save lives. Isn’t that the whole point of having the Baltimore Police Department on Twitter to begin with?
While tweeting about such dramatic and sensitive circumstances could raise awareness about these rapes, maintaining the image of Baltimore being a safe community would be damaged in the process.
According to Andy Green from the Baltimore Sun, “(Baltimore Police) Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi told me today that the department, as a rule, doesn't tweet rapes because of the sensitive nature of the crime.”
As we all know, the information has now been released to the media and public (though as of right now, no information regarding the rapes has been updated on the BPD's Facebook or Twitter pages). However, we could have known about this mid-October, instead of beginning-November.
Broadcasting information to thousands of Twitter followers is a powerful weapon in the Police Dept.’s arsenal.
To use or not to use?
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Comments
It is so upsetting to look at the Baltimore Police Department's Twitter feed and see a media advisory about Ray Lewis hosting a training session for officers but nothing about the series of sexual assaults happening in the city. How is it that shootings and other crimes are acceptable to share with the public but not these assaults? I have an incredible amount of respect for the police, but I can't imagine why the department would not be more proactive in sharing information about this.
At least Baltimore is trying and rape is nothing to take chances on as evidence has to be protected. I think the best course here is to provide a mechanism to use the technology in a way that allows for sensitive information to be protected, while individuals are protected. Twitter is mostly a bottom up vehicle anyway, so no one is stopping individuals from using it to share information. I think the police ought to be watching it though and there are lots of cool ways they can get information relayed to squad cars that comes over the twitter relay.
Although I completely agree with the criticism that the Baltimore Police Department needs to be more timely, consistent and engaging in their use of Twitter–especially when it comes to situations as major as a suspected serial rapist–I do think credit should be given for their decision this morning to use TweetPhoto to post an artist’s composite of a rape suspect they are searching for.
Now, I’m not sure if this was done in an attempt to quiet the criticism of their communication issues this week, but regardless, this was a great move on their part. The more the BPD uses Twitter to inform citizens and solicit their help, the better off we’ll be as a city.
Thanks for the good article. It is very upsetting to read about what that sexual assaults occurring around Baltimore. I will post a link to your article for some of my friends to read. Bruce.
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