Sexual Assaults in Jonesboro

Do you remember playing the old telephone game when you were a kid? You go around in a circle, each person passing on what the previous whispered only to have the last one in the line blurt out a result to the group that’s completely different than what was actually said at the beginning? Well that game is being played, right now, in Jonesboro with far more serious consequences. Jonesboro Police are trying to investigate what might or might not be a string of sexual assaults in the western part of the city.  As we reported last week the Police say that the rumors and information being spread about the cases, particularly on the internet, are actually hampering their investigation. I know that there are people who are concerned, some who are even frightened, worrying about what has happened, wanting every last bit of information and wondering why it hasn’t been wrapped up. After all, we have been trained to expect the instant gratification of finding answers on Google. We’ve become expectant that forensic experts should be like those prime time CSIs and solve any crime in the course of an hour. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that. If you see something or know something that can contribute to catching the perpetrators of these or ANY OTHER crimes, please notify the police. It is your responsibility. However, if you don’t have facts then don’t contribute to the criminals by muddying the waters for law enforcement and getting in the way of arrests and prosecutions. Fortunately, we live in a part of the world where crime doesn’t dominate the first ten minutes of a newscast. Unfortunately, there are bad people in this world. And that means that we must be prepared;  always aware of our surroundings, always on the lookout for anything suspicious, and knowing always what to do when confronted by a criminal.   Knowing how to keep ourselves, our families, and our communities safer will help keep the bad guys at bay, and make this  A Better Region 8.  

Comments

[Kenlee]

I like how the JPD and others are trying to play this off on the public as being the bad guys for spreading rumors. If they or the news media or whoever had released the proper information to begin with instead of trying to sweep it under the rug hoping no one would find out then there would be no need for rumors. We, the public, are not stupid. We know Jonesboro isn't the Utopia that city officials would like everyone to think it is so it's time we are treated like the educated individuals we are and told the truth. Rumors don't help anyone that's for sure - but neither does covering up the truth.