[redwitch]

I have no issue with police using whatever resources are available to apprehend someone, even if just to question that person. If someone mugs another in a parking lot and there is a photograph or video available, I firmly believe it should be public knowledge. The police need an aware public and a public willing to let them know when they see a potential bad guy. The police should do what is necessary to stop crime. But we're talking about after the bad guy has been arrested. As I said, it could have easily been reported as one of the county's top ten most wanted has been arrested, but there is no need for any of the other information. It is an embarrassment to his friends, families. They certainly don't deserve this. Imagine all of the folks doing a drive-by of the street just to see where he lived. And, of course, there is still the issue that no one has been found guilty of a crime yet -- just arrested.

However, I'm talking about someone already in custody. There is absolutely no reason to post the mug shots, the names, the addresses. The police have done their job -- they have arrested someone. It is now up to the judicial system to prosecute that person, not the newspapers or the internet. What possible need is there to know the name and address of the person arrested -- he's in custody. I don't know Florida's laws, but I do know that in California victims are kept very well apprised of an assailant's status and whereabouts.

I'm sorry you think it is acceptable that this information is so freely given in Florida. Not only acceptable, but welcome. I still find it nauseating.