Then why are we constantly told “if you see something, say something?”
I think there is something that can be done.
Though part of your point is not lost on me. Still, these are trying times, these are awful crimes.
Let’s say the FBI really did something about this Cruz shooter instead of trying to impeach Trump.
They probably couldn’t arrest him but I’m thinking they could have told the kid he’s being watched, then notify the school and local cops to watch the guy.
There has to be a way to handle this without violating the constitution or breaking the law.
Else tell them to stop telling us to say something if we see something.
Instead they should say “If you see something, don’t say anything. We can’t do a thing about it.”
The problem with see something, say something, is some people are paranoid and they see things that aren’t there. Others see things that might or might not mean anything, but they don’t see things that are actionable. Few people understand what a good tip consists of and explaining it is complicated. The paranoid people will simply make up the necessary elements because they “know” they are right. Or they have an agenda and want to use the agency to further it. The see something, say something is essentially political feel-good pablum.
Reporting on this case lends the clarity of hind sight that was not there until after the event happened.