In Harford County, sex crimes go unreported.
We don?t understand why.
A spokesman for the Harford County?s Sheriff?s Office told The Examiner?s Patti Rosenberg a policy of refusing to disclose such violent crimes “goes back years” and is based on an agreement with the prosecutor?s office.
Really?
Not.
“The only thing we have asked is that they don?t report victim?s names,” Harford County State?s Attorney Joseph Cassilly told The Examiner.
That is a long-standing policy of police departments everywhere because of the stigma that attaches itself to rape and incest, crimes of violence in every instance, not crimes of shame for the victims.
The common policy protects the victim?s privacy, but also allows the public to stay informed and possibly assist police in an investigation.
Giving the public information to make informed decisions is important.
That?s why we love Baltimore City Police Department?s crime mapping system. (http://141.157.54.34/bpdmaps/police.htm)
By plugging in an address, you can find statistics on burglaries, rape, stolen cars and other crimes in that neighborhood over a two-week period. With that information, you can make better decisions about where to park, buy a home or go out for the evening.
All cities and counties would benefit from such a tool.
At the very least, police should keep citizens apprised of all serious crime in their communities. Of course.
We?d like the Sheriff?s Office to explain themselves and to immediately end their silence about sex crimes.
There is no good reason to keep people in the dark.
Last year 30 alleged rapes went unreported to the public in Harford County.
Who knows how many of those might have been avoided if the Sheriff?s Office provided the public information about assailants or locations to avoid?
Since it immediately reports murder, robberies and injuries, we don?t understand why it withholds information on these particularly horrific violent crimes.
Public safety is best served by an informed citizenry.
