What to do about crime news?

by Glenn Burkins – June 11, 2009
About the Q Add comments

  • Font Size
  • Make Text Smaller
  • Make Text Larger

As editor of Qcitymetro.com, one of the toughest choices I face each day is what to do about crime coverage.

For most folks, the threat of crime is a sad reality. And far too often, a disproportionate number of those street offenses are committed by young black males.

I recently asked some Qcitymetro.com readers how we should handle crime coverage. The consensus was clear: Keep it off the home page unless it’s a major event.

“We have enough negative images of black men,” one reader said.

I got the message. Still, we want Qcitymetro.com to reflect the reality of our community, and that means some level of crime coverage.

Earlier this week we started a new feature on the News page called “Police Blotter.” It’s a seven-day log of criminal activity reported by CMPD and other local law enforcement agencies.

Let me know what you think. Did we strike the right balance?

Other Ways to Share

Discussions and Submission Agreement

Report Abusive/Inappropriate Comments

User Comments (4 Responses)
posted by
AJ

Jun 12, 2009 at 9:39 AM

Negative images? Why should we protect the image of those who prey on innocent people driving in their cars, working as cashiers, sitting in their living rooms, shoot into crowds etc. Handle it by giving the victims a chance to have their story told. How about the good people in the neighborhoods who have to live surrounded by fear of the summer time, grandchildren who don't want to visit and stay overnight with grandparents who've remained in their neighborhoods? This site also offers a lot of positive images so we can't be unreal about the negative images.
posted by
K

Jun 12, 2009 at 9:55 AM

Depressing. I will not read it.
posted by
kandi

Jun 12, 2009 at 12:19 PM

I agree with AJ, why protect those who are destroying our neighborhoods? I think crime should be covered. However, I don't need to know about every break-in and robbery.

If it's something significant, that affects a neighborhood, I'm sure those residents want to know what's going on. Maybe actually speaking to those neighbors would provide a different slant to the coverage. Looking at it from at "what can we do next" than a "here's what just happened" perspective. Focus on the broader issue of crime in our community rather than the minutia of every day events.
Most of our local news stations flash the mug shot, put up a map and keep it moving.

You can't ignore crime just because brown faces are committing some of it.
posted by
Eric S.

Jun 12, 2009 at 12:21 PM

I think you should cover it. I remember listening to Russel Simmons on Oprah about the artist he produced that demean our Black women. One of the individual on the panel defending the gangsta rap music stated that he was just telling the story on how the street life was like. Now, this kind of rhetoric is hitting the airwaves infiltrating the homes and cars of millions of people of every race who listens. If you don't tell the true story, are we to hear it from the rappers who will hype it up to make money???? Not reading it will not make it go away, we need to face it and speak out against it and teach morals and values to our children so they will not be in the negative headlines, but the positive ones.

Leave a Reply





On The Web

Happy birthday J. Dilla
A tribute to the late, great hip-hop producer responsible for some of the art form's greatest sounds.

Another insult for Michelle?
Republican Mike O'Neal reportedly forwarded an email making fun of the first lady's looks.

Qcity Jobs Search
Eg. Nurse

Los Angeles, CA



  
Charlotte Jobs by Category