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ARE ANONYMOUS TIPS TO STATE POLICE SITE REALLY ANONYMOUS? |
| (03/03/2009) |
| By Bob Weaver The new State Police crime reporting web site (wvcrime.com) has had a successful first month, with 80-90 crime tips pouring in from all over the state, according to State Police Sgt. Christopher Casto. Casto said anonymous tips have ranged from petty theft to drugs and major crimes. "We're running the gamut on the types of crimes that are getting reported," he said. Although news releases say the site allows people to submit anonymous tips, are they really anonymous? Most all computer generated messages can be tracked. "The idea behind the site is that people would be more willing to report crimes in their neighborhood if they were able to do it anonymously, fast and easy through their computer," says the agency. The State Police say the site is not meant to replace conventional ways of reporting crimes through calls to detachments or 911 centers. The agency has experienced a number of problems in several West Virginia counties, resulting in a conflict with 911 services. A few years ago, the State Police attempted to pass a bill in the West Virginia Legislature of taking-over and operating all of the 911 centers in the state. Citing checks-and-balances and separation of power, the legislature did not move the bill forward, at that time recalling a critical incident in McDowell County where State Police attempted to remove a 911 recording of a beating three officers gave an innocent local resident. Several State Policemen entered the Welch 911 Center and demanded the tape, but the 911 dispatcher had placed the tape in a safe.
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