All The Star's crime stories today

This blog is meant to be your one-stop resource for crime-related stories from The Star. Here are today's links:

• Woman robbed in apartment parking lot - 11/30/2005 08:43 AM CST
  
• Men steal cash, vehicle from home - 11/30/2005 08:19 AM CST
  
• Duo holds up family in their home - 11/30/2005 08:12 AM CST
  
• Busy street due stricter enforcement - 11/30/2005 06:37 AM CST
• No charges in fatal crash involving airport shuttle
  
• Ex-nursing home worker investigated
  
• Charge in killing now more serious
  
• Overcrowded Clay County jail gets approval for extra funds
• Metropolitan Digest
• Former salesman pleads guilty in tax-credit scheme
  
• Kindergarten student poked in eye with fork by classmate
  
• Four Walgreen pharmacists disciplined for not filling contraceptives
• New project aimed at helping children from meth homes
• Action against inmate ads draw more attention to them
• Man pleads guilty to misdemeanors in horse abuse case
• Wildlife officials say deer poaching is growing problem in state

Comments

[joe Miller]

What about these headlines, from today's Star web page?

"Waris receives probation and fine"

"The Star pushes for names of lawyers who gave loans to former judge"

Of even this one, as it relates to whether or not local laws are being complied with:

"City projects still lacking in hiring of minorities"

Why are these not crime stories? Because they don't strike fear into the hearts of readers?

I think these ommissions are harmful to the community. By focusing only on the kinds of crimes you've been focusing on, I believe you stoke a fear among your predominantly white and middle-class readership which deepens the divides in our community. And I think the divided and unequal nature of our community, and American society as a whole, is a contributing factor to the kinds of crimes you report on with this blog.

If you were to expand your notion of crime, I think you would be able to put these street-level crimes into a broader context. For one, it would help you to avoid giving the impression on your blog that deviant and unlawful behavior is exhibited primarily by poor people and minorities. It could also empower the community to embrace stronger standards of ethics. I think this would absolutely happen if you were to put folks like Taff on the same level as a purse snatcher.

Greg, I know you're better than this. You were the database reporter, weren't you? I know you understand larger systemic forces. As one of the Star's pioneers into the so-called "new media" landscape, you have a tremendous responsibility.

[joe Miller]

What about these headlines, from today's Star web page?

"Waris receives probation and fine"

"The Star pushes for names of lawyers who gave loans to former judge"

Of even this one, as it relates to whether or not local laws are being complied with:

"City projects still lacking in hiring of minorities"

Why are these not crime stories? Because they don't strike fear into the hearts of readers?

I think these ommissions are harmful to the community. By focusing only on the kinds of crimes you've been focusing on, I believe you stoke a fear among your predominantly white and middle-class readership which deepens the divides in our community. And I think the divided and unequal nature of our community, and American society as a whole, is a contributing factor to the kinds of crimes you report on with this blog.

If you were to expand your notion of crime, I think you would be able to put these street-level crimes into a broader context. For one, it would help you to avoid giving the impression on your blog that deviant and unlawful behavior is exhibited primarily by poor people and minorities. It could also empower the community to embrace stronger standards of ethics. I think this would absolutely happen if you were to put folks like Taff on the same level as a purse snatcher.

Greg, I know you're better than this. You were the database reporter, weren't you? I know you understand larger systemic forces. As one of the Star's pioneers into the so-called "new media" landscape, you have a tremendous responsibility.

[joe Miller]

Oops. My mistake. I got the days wrong. I see that you did post links to the other stories in a later post. I apologize.

But still, I think it woould provide some balance if you did more full-blown quotes about these so-called white-collar crimes, for the reasons I stated above.