How Irresponsible Reporting Perpetuates False Fear
The title of this report out of Pennsylvania says, “6 sex offenders arrested under ‘Operation Eagle Eye’ after unannounced Megan’s Law compliance checks”
Apparently, “The U.S. Marshals Service and the Pennsylvania State Police worked with ten other area law enforcement agencies” on this operation. WOW! The Feds, State Police and TEN OTHER law enforcement agencies were involved! This law enforcement effort was so important that they named it! Operation Eagle Eye! Sounds ominous, right?
Someone who reads that might think ‘thank god these 6 monsters were caught and the children they abducted hopefully returned safely to their families!’
But here’s the problem… The article goes on to say the operation comprised of, “779 unannounced checks of registered sex offenders living in three counties. Investigators arrested six men who were found to be in violation of their Megan’s Law requirements.”
… wait a minute … 779 checks? Six Arrests. Six out of 779 is less than one percent, right? Doesn’t that mean that 99% of sex offenders were not arrested during this operation? And what’s this about “found to be in violation of their Megan’s Law requirements”? Doesn’t that mean a registration violation?!? So the police didn’t recover 6 abducted children or possibly discover 6 new actual crimes taking place… they found six people who were not in compliance with overly onerous and confusing registration requirements.
Well why didn’t they say that?!?!?! Maybe a parent scanning the headlines wouldn’t be so freaked out.
They could have just as easily gone with one of these headlines and it would have painted a more accurate picture:
- 99% of Registered Sex Offenders found COMPLIANT in unannounced sweep.
- ‘Eagle Eye” more like Operation Lame Duck after less than 1% investigated are arrested.
- 10 Law Enforcement Agencies waste hundreds of thousands of dollars in operation that produced negligible results.
- Instead of spending on prevention and education, taxpayers spend on harassing compliant citizens.
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Agree on all points here including Mr. Pransky.
I contacted Mr.. Pransky about the Pasco residency restriction ordinance coming this Tuesday 21st. He was kind enough to respond but has been and will be stuck in Tallahassee next week.
I’ll be there!
Right on! Great post. The Jacksonville, FL news is bad about sensationalizing sex crimes too. I wish all reporters could be like Noah Pransky out of Tampa 10. He is a responsible reporter. Also, whatever happened to that letter that FAC sent to Pam Bondi about the sex stings??? Any response?
Nothing!
About to post another letter sent to FDLE about vehicle registration. Check that one out.
If they don’t respond we’ll forward up the ladder.