I’ve been debating with myself for days whether or not to write a follow up column about the alleged arrest made in the North Miami Beach kidnapping/rape case, which I reported here on Saturday. Just so you know, the story I reported came directly from the City Manager, Ana Garcia, and she graciously allowed me the “exclusive” to break the news to you. Since then, however, there’s been radio silence from the Police Department’s Public Information Office.
Reporters who read my blog and called the PIOs to confirm the story were told they could not confirm anything.
HUH?
Needless to say, I’ve been having a WTF Moment over this whole thing. It makes no sense that I was given permission to publish the news of the arrest (which was also announced at a public forum on Saturday morning), yet reporters are being turned away.
I’ve also since received conflicting information from what Ms. Garcia first stated in that there was only one arrest made so far, and not three. In addition, I’ve been told that no press release was issued as yet because it might “compromise the investigation.”
I am certainly not one to intentionally get in the way of a police investigation. On the off chance that this is really what’s going on, I’ve held off trying to find out more details of the alleged arrest for the time being. But, I still want to address how North Miami Beach has been treating the media in general.
Contrary to what some people may believe, the media is NOT the enemy. Reporters, and even bloggers (ahem), have a job to do, which is to report the news and inform the the public. They’re also pretty smart when it comes to understanding concepts like “off the record” and “ongoing investigation.” When treated like the responsible professionals they are, reporters give the same courtesy back to those who trust they will do the right thing. Respect begets respect, and most people rise to the occasion.
Even when reporters are treated like children, they still remain professional and behave responsibly. Reporters do not have the option of retaliating or throwing temper tantrums or they’d most likely get fired. If they’re continuously ignored or rebuffed, what they will do is give up and move on to the next story. Preferably somewhere else. Journalists obviously prefer to work with PIOs who will cooperate with the media, and who do understand the importance of working together for a common goal, which is to inform and protect the public by solving crimes.
It’s quite obvious to me that North Miami Beach’s Public Information Officers either do not respect the media, or at least don’t trust that reporters can be assets and not liabilities. Good reporters are only too happy to assist law enforcement in any way possible. They want to be utilized by Police Departments. They live for it. It makes them feel good. Really, it does!
A perfect example is that I was told the initial surveillance video of the kidnappers was not issued immediately because the victim’s face was visible and needed to be blotted out before being given to the media. I’m not sure if the PIOs are aware of this, but news crews vans are fully equipped with sophisticated video gear necessary to edit video within minutes. If that surveillance video needed to be edited, any one of the local reporters’ tech dudes could have handled the job on the spot. I have no idea whether the North Miami Beach PIOs didn’t know this, didn’t think of it, or simply didn’t trust the reporters enough to ask for help, but if that was really the reason the video wasn’t released, it’s a pretty lame one.
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It’s a leap of faith.
Being able to help is not a sign of superiority. It’s a blessing.
When they work together, members of law enforcement and media can be the greatest asset the public has in being able to protect themselves from becoming victims.
Let’s face it. Like every other city in South Florida, there is crime in North Miami Beach. Trying to keep it from being reported isn’t doing the public any favors. Running reporters out of town by treating them like pariahs is not helping our image, either. They are truly disgusted by being treated with such disrespect.
As much as it pains me to say this, all these recent media mishaps are giving our city’s Police Department the reputation as being run by a bunch of amateurs. I know this is not the case, but until there is a professional Public Information Office in place – one that will play nice with reporters – we will continue to lose the respect of the media and the public at large.
Stephanie Kienzle
“Spreading the Wealth”
AMEN
Be careful with your calls for a better relationship between PIO and the media.
Remember that the first amendment puts speech and the press in the same clause. The government’s constitutional responsibility to the press is the same as to the people generally and there should be no special provisions or relationships made therefore.
A great example of PIO done wrong and unconstitutionally is the practices of the City of Miami in treating condoned media representations as a special class above the general public.
I witnessed first hand at the eviction of Occupy Miami how local TV reporters were allowed to record and move with impunity while everyone else, including Carlos Miller, an actual journalist (unlike the presstitutes of channels 6,7 and 10) was ordered first to leave the premises of Government Center, and then ordered to move off the sidewalk, and then when corralled a block away, were ordered to disperse, otherwise face arrest at the hands of a PRE-pared warrant for that exact street.
Carlos Miller was arrested, on the sidewalk, while representatives of mainstream presstitution were allowed to film and report without bother.
I agree with your sentiment that public institutions have a responsibility to communicate transparently with the public, but be very careful for a call for the PIO (or other) to develop a good working relationship with the media specifically above the public.
It doesn’t matter what the media can or can’t do with the surveillance video. It is the job of the NMBPD to protect the rape victim’s identity. They can’t simply “trust” that the media will do the responsible thing. Additionally, the one person arrested is a minor whose face cannot be shown until certain determinations are made. The NMBPD is being prudent, responsible, and compassionate.
Spyguy,
The video is the property of the respective businesses in which they were taken.
It may exist but i’m not familiar with any law that says identity is protected on private property. In fact I’m pretty sure you wave your right to privacy when you enter private property.
Prem, I’m not sure about the law, either. I do know that the owners of surveillance video are usually more than happy to share them with law enforcement if it helps solve crimes, especially those taking place on property. I also don’t know about waiving your right to privacy, but I think if the business establishment makes it clear that cameras are present (i.e., by signage), you have been sufficiently notified. At that point, you have a choice whether to enter the property or not. Perhaps by consenting to entering the property, a waiver is implied. If any lawyer is reading this, please fill us in.
If they developed a solid working relationship with the members of the press, they would know to trust certain reporters. Trust is earned over a period of time. A professional Public Information Officer who is trained and experienced in working with the media knows how to establish mutually respectful relationship with local reporters. This should be a no-brainer.
great read….