EDITORIAL: "To Catch a Thief"

Without complete information, the DP cannot adequately do its job of informing; and without informing students, University Police will have a more difficult time protecting students, since much of this job is teaching students how to protect themselves. Unfortunately, when the DP reports on a black suspect, it is logical to argue that printing the suspect's race only fuels bigotry and strengthens stereotypes that all students are white, and all West Philadelphians are black. But the blame for racism does not lie with the DP or University Police -- it lies with the racist and those who teach racism. Withholding a suspect's race, conversely, does nothing to counteract bigotry -- it takes more proactive measures than that to fight racism. Printing the race of a suspect does, however, serve student's best interests, even if some would argue that it fuels bigotry. In fact, printing this information also helps fight the assumption, made in the ignorant absence of information on a suspect's race, that 100 percent of West Philadelphian criminals are black. The more detailed a description becomes, the better the chance that a member of the general public will recognize the suspect and notify police. A moderately detailed description holds out hope that someone in the area of the crime, at the time in question, might remember seeing the suspect and could offer police more information. Of course, descriptions of criminals are useful to the extent that they help police nab suspects -- but they are of little use when it comes to avoiding criminals. With or without descriptions, it is the crime reports themselves that help people avoid criminals, by reminding readers to be cautious. Every newspaper article should serve as a reminder to travel in groups in well-lit public areas during reasonable hours. Don't travel alone, or late at night, or off the beaten path. Use Escort Service. Be cautious and aware of your surroundings, and don't walk around looking like an easy target. Although race is only one of many elements necessary to describe a person, it is clearly an important one. Including the race of suspects in crime descriptions, along with as much other information as possible, will help both University Police and the DP perform their work better.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.