Refusal to list suspect's race in news

[RobsterCraw]

This is the BS response I received back when I emailed the reporter who listed every physical feature of a suspect
except race in a recent article.


Mr. XXXXX


This has been a question readers have had about crime stories in The Times-Picayune for many years. A policy has been in place for a long time that deems racial categories in crime stories - black, white, etc. - are too broad and generic to be truly useful in narrowing down who a criminal suspect might be. If police give a more specific skin-tone description - dark brown, light brown, etc. - we might use that. In this case, the police haven't provided that.


Here's an explanation of it from Paula Devlin, the editor who supervises crime coverage, in a recent online chat about crime issues and our crime coverage: "We do provide physical descriptions when we have them, but we feel giving person's skin color is the descriptor that matters. We also try to find distinguishing characteristics that an identify someone in a way nothing else can: a tattoo, scars, a limp, gold teeth. We believe that using race as description might narrow the field of possible suspects, but only in marginal ways and not enough to justify turning an entire racial group into suspects."

 

[itchin]

Lol.

 

[Charlie]

Do for all, or don't do it!

 

[txinvestigator]

This is the BS response I received back when I emailed the reporter who listed every physical feature of a suspect
except race in a recent article.


Mr. XXXXX


This has been a question readers have had about crime stories in The Times-Picayune for many years. A policy has been in place for a long time that deems racial categories in crime stories - black, white, etc. - are too broad and generic to be truly useful in narrowing down who a criminal suspect might be. If police give a more specific skin-tone description - dark brown, light brown, etc. - we might use that. In this case, the police haven't provided that.


Here's an explanation of it from Paula Devlin, the editor who supervises crime coverage, in a recent online chat about crime issues and our crime coverage: "We do provide physical descriptions when we have them, but we feel giving person's skin color is the descriptor that matters. We also try to find distinguishing characteristics that an identify someone in a way nothing else can: a tattoo, scars, a limp, gold teeth. We believe that using race as description might narrow the field of possible suspects, but only in marginal ways and not enough to justify turning an entire racial group into suspects."

Is there something recent that prompted you to post this?

 

[RobsterCraw]

Yes, a local article in my hometown (out of state) newspaper in which the reporter provided several physical characteristics and
clothing description. What he did not provide was the suspect's race, which we all know is most vital.

 

[alexrex20]

aren't most of them black anyway?

 

[Dred]

Yes, it's a pet peeve of mine. If I had a nickel for all the times I got a description that was wholely lacking in substance ...

When getting a description lacking that info, I now ask. Too many folks are scared to offend my fragile, black sensibilities by admitting they've noticed my heritage.

 

[Glockster69]

And don't mention the blonde hair or blue eyes because so many of those in Sweden would be suspects.

 

[alexrex20]

nvm

 

[Charlie]

aren't most of them black anyway?

Pretty damn racist, Alex!

 

[Dred]

aren't most of them black anyway?

This is where I'd go on the attack if I didn't already know you to be a pompous ass. Delivered with love since Tapa is smiley crippled.


Disclaimer: I've met Alex and his pink wallet in person, so I don't figure he's gonna feel attacked.

 

[alexrex20]

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in 2009 the majority of the prison and jail population was 39.4% black, the majority. not trying to be racist; just stating fact.

I actually agree with the reporter that "using race as description might narrow the field of possible suspects, but only in marginal ways and not enough to justify turning an entire racial group into suspects."

 

[alexrex20]

Every time I hear on the news, "Suspect is a young black male wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans," I think that describes the entire population in that area. Again, not being racist, because that area is a predominantly black community. So how does that description help anyone? All it can do is get some guy in trouble because Neighbor Nancy is trying to do the right thing by calling the police because she saw someone matching that description.

 

[Charlie]

Let me rephrase................... Pretty damn racist statement, Alex! I don't know you so I don't know if you're racist or not. But you statement is racist, IMO, regardless of the Justice Statistics! Just my .02 cents! As I stated earlier, race should be stated no matter what it is.

 

[Charlie]

Every time I hear on the news, "Suspect is a young black male wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans," I think that describes the entire population in that area. Again, not being racist, because that area is a predominantly black community. So how does that description help anyone? All it can do is get some guy in trouble because Neighbor Nancy is trying to do the right thing by calling the police because she saw someone matching that description.

It helps law enforcement track down the perp!

 

[inceptor]

"A person was robbed and beaten today. The crime was caught on video but we are unable to release this because it could offend someone. If you see this person please call CrimeStoppers."

 

[alexrex20]

It helps law enforcement track down the perp!

My point is a vague description (like the example I used) can easily do more harm than good, by making everyone a suspect. The general public should never be taken for granted in their ability to remain objective.

 

[alexrex20]

"A person was robbed and beaten today. The crime was caught on video but we are unable to release this because it could offend someone. If you see this person please call CrimeStoppers."

If the only description they could otherwise provide is that the suspect is black, then they should not be releasing a description, IMO.

If the crime was caught on video, then surely they will have a thorough description.

 

[Charlie]

My point is a vague description (like the example I used) can easily do more harm than good, by making everyone a suspect. The general public should never be taken for granted in their ability to remain objective.

Pure Bullshit, Alex!

 

[inceptor]

If the only description they could otherwise provide is that the suspect is black, then they should not be releasing a description, IMO.

If the crime was caught on video, then surely they will have a thorough description.

Yeah but if you say the person was short or tall, you take a chance on offending short or tall people. If you add a person's weight, like average weight (what the hell is that?) large or skinny you take a chance that you could offend people with eating disorders. Give the type of clothing and you probably hit at least 20% of the population. Ya can't win for loosin.