First published in the Feb. 11 print issue of the Glendale News-Press.
I’m curious as to why the crime and arrest logs are no longer published in the Glendale News-Press.
To me, this was an important part of your publication since local news and actual journalism are not readily available these days.
In the fall 2022, I noticed that the Glendale Police Department website suddenly stopped printing their weekly “Notable Arrest” logs, just as local electioneering gathered momentum. The timing suggests a suspiciously conscientious effort to remove any evidence that crime occurs in the city and environs. Hmm …
What prompted my letter? We owned a shop in Glendale, which was family-owned for more than 75 years. I would read the GPD arrest reports and scan various [News-Press] sections for crime logs with information on various crimes in the area (i.e., smash and grab, the gangs of hooligans, the stealing of catalytic converters and burglaries). It heightened our awareness at home and in the shop where we kept a closer eye on unknown persons who entered. It became a valuable tool. I could compare the arrest photo and description, with incidents or persons seen in or near the shop. By the time we were ready to retire, we were lucky, we only had a few incidences of attempted burglary, fraudulent credit card users and theft. I don’t know how any small business can remain open these days!
With that said, we’ve since retired, I have looked to GPD and the Glendale News-Press for information concerning situations in our neighborhood.
I also found that the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s website had recently stopped publishing their crime log. Why? I know firsthand and therefore, for a fact, that crime exists in this area. I’m wondering who gains from hiding this information? Why did our public officials consciously decide not to continue to inform the public of local dangers? Where is the “transparency” that they always claim? What are they hiding? Who is responsible?
I agree safety of personnel is of greatest importance, but this is not right. We have plenty of laws that are not being followed because they are not being enforced (i.e., speed limits, blackened windows on vehicles, thefts). There is no respect for the law or the enforcers, and therein lies the critical fact that the policies of the current [L.A. County] district attorney encourage this behavior. Others who are emboldened by this omission will just get more blatant in their crimes. This behavior won’t change unless we enforce existing laws.
Publishing crime info allows the public to review the results of our government policies and realize whether policies are effective or ineffective (thus, requiring a change in policy, duh?). We, the public, need this information published and readily available. We should not be shielded from the facts.
Marty Burr
Glendale
