Local paper receives info on school threat and won't release name of author

Today two schools in our district are out due to a perceived threat. You can read about it here.

How does the paper for even one moment think it best to protect the author. Granted I don't think the name should be published because it sounds like it is a student writing it but they should relinquish it to the authorities.

Has everyone here really on edge. I can't imagine how the kids feel.

Here is the original article:

A letter The Paducah Sun received Monday contained questions about Reidland High School’s enforcement of rules concerning weapons
on campus. The content of the note was shared with the McCracken County Sheriff’s Department, specifically Sheriff Jon Hayden and apt. Matt Carter, after a reporter called the department. A paper copy of the letter also was provided to Carter, although the name of the author was not included. In the letter, the author, who asks to remain unnamed, writes about observations made in a classroom and asks why school officials are not taking action to prevent possible danger from happening. “Someone who sits in class with us, who has brought weapons twice ... has yet to be punished for anything,” the letter states, but does not mention the person’s name. It adds that the person has plotted attack sites around the school area and asks why school administrators are afraid to enforce school rules. The letter does not contain any specific threats of violence, just the student’s observations. After the newspaper revealed the letter’s content on Monday to law enforcement officials, including Hayden, Carter and Commonwealth Attorney Dan Boaz, a group decision among school and law enforcement leaders was made to close Reidland High School today, as well as Reidland Middle School. “It was decided for the safety of the students, that school will be cancelled and the school will not be in session until the threat has been adequately investigated,” Hayden wrote on the McCracken County Sheriff’s Department Facebook page. “The closure includes the Reidland Middle School only as an extra precaution due to the two school buildings being attached.” Sun officials explained to police late Monday night that they would seek advice of counsel in Louisville this morning concerning the identification of the letter writer. But, as reported, at no time throughout the day Monday was the content of the letter kept from law enforcement.

One good reason for not giving the name is the possible chilling effect it may have on other confidential informants in the future. If you know if you give information, your name will be revealed, you may not be so ready to give that information. Just the flip side.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Darrell KSR

One good reason for not giving the name is the possible chilling effect it may have on other confidential informants in the future. If you know if you give information, your name will be revealed, you may not be so ready to give that information. Just the flip side.

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I understand the whistle blower aspect. But to my knowledge they have not tried other methods such as putting them in touch with the whistle blower without giving the persons name or number out. Or posing questions to the whistle blower via the Sheriffs office. Not saying this has been asked but that it has not been discussed to my knowledge.

Some way, some how the knowledge of the letter writer (whistle blower) has to get into the polices hands.

From the Superintendent of McCracken Public Schools:

The safety of students and staff is the first and most important priority of McCracken County Public Schools. McCracken County Public School officials closed Reidland High School and Reidland Middle School on Tuesday, December 18 due to the report of a threat to Reidland High School.

Students and families of Reidland High School and Reidland Middle School were notified at 6 a.m. this morning of the school closure via the district’s automated calling system. There is no evidence to suggest that this threat impacts any other schools within the district. School officials will continue to provide information to students, families and employees.

Monday, December 17 at approximately 10 a.m. the McCracken County Sheriff’s Department was contacted by a reporter with the Paducah Sun stating that a letter containing a serious threat was sent to the newspaper’s editor concerning Reidland High School. When the McCracken County Sheriff's Department expressed the need for the letter, including its author and contact information, to conduct a thorough and immediate investigation. The request by the sheriff’s department was initially denied, citing ethical obligations to protect the newspapers sources.

At 1 p.m. the Sheriff’s Department requested and was granted a meeting with Duke Conover, the Executive Editor of the Paducah Sun. The need for the letter, its author and contact information so that a thorough and immediate investigation could be conducted was explained to the editor, whom again denied the request stating ethical obligations on the newspapers part to protect its sources. Upon another request at approximately 4:30 p.m., the Paducah Sun provided a copy of the letter, but refused to provide the author's name or contact information.

At 6:30 p.m. Monday evening, McCracken County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Nancy Waldrop was made aware that the Paducah Sun had received a letter concerning a serious threat to Reidland High School. The superintendent was informed that the Sheriff’s Department investigation could not begin without the information being withheld by the Paducah Sun.

At 7 p.m. school district officials met with representatives from the McCracken County Commonwealth Attorney’s office, representatives from the County Attorney’s office, the McCracken County Sheriff’s Department and legal council. As a result of the Paducah Sun’s refusal to provide information, school officials saw it imperative to close Reidland High School and Reidland Middle School on Tuesday December 18, for the safety of all students and staff.

The safety of students and staff is the first and most important priority in McCracken County Public Schools. Local law enforcement continues efforts to obtain information from the Paducah Sun. An investigation will begin immediately upon release of information regarding this threat.

The harder the sheriff's office tries to obtain identity of the confidential informant, the less likely anyone else will come forward next time. Even the threat of the newspaper having to turn over the name will have that effect.

It's why in many places (Birmingham city included), they have "hot lines" where you can call in, anonymously, with a tip with assurances of no further contact.

Maybe it's not a big deal to them, and it's more important this time. But it will have consequences.