Fort Dix Terror Blunder?

Law Enforcement Blunder?

As opposite ends of political and legal spectra argue over possible entrapment implications of the Fort Dix case I note that law enforcement again, in its zeal to cater to the media, has made a serious misstep that could affect future successful prosecutions.

Why was it disclosed that a store clerk called authorities when he/she was presented with questionable video for transfer to CD? Why identify the Circuit City store in which the clerk worked? How much more time will pass before we know who that person is/persons are?

I admit not having read the Complaint (which I will do this weekend) but did this much have to come out now? What happened to the comment, "We won't disclose tactics or techniques. Much of it may come our during the trial." How many terrorists are now buying their own video hardware and software to make their own dubs?

In my media relations lectures one of the sections I present is entitled, "When Words Kill," and centers upon authorities (all of them, federal, state and local) who just can't keep secrets from the media. I lay out cases in which persons have been killed from just such leaks.

Back to Fort Dix

Why did the FBI, State Police, local authories, Congressmen, etc. have to disclose the clerk's role in launching this case? If alleged terrorists are so dumb, or so poor, or so technologically backward that they do not have access to equipment to make their own CDs why should they learn that getting outside technology help could lead to FBI scrutiny?

Most importantly, how many clerks, counterpersons, delivery people are going to step forward now to call authorities when they see something that appears awry if they know that eventually the public (and terrorists) may be able to identify or perhaps harm them?

And how many businesses, equally afraid of terror in any of its forms, and boycotts from certain groups, now will instruct their employees to keep their mouths shut if they see something hinky happening or are confronted by a customer that just doesn't seem kosher?

Circuit City should have released a one-line statement such as, "We always cooperate with authorities whenever we can."

© Copyright 2007 Richard Lavinthal. All rights reserved.

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