I don't want to start any flame wars with this comment, but it seems quite clear that LE does not view the average citizen as being able or willing to assist. Rather, LE is treating the average American citizen, and the media, as hindrances to their investigation. I beg to differ. LE has already made use of the media to broadcast their messages to the sniper, or the note-writer, or the phone-caller or all of the above.
I submit that the fear level increases as the public is denied information. As the fear level increases, the confusion increases, and as the confusion increases, the fear level increases, and so on. This only serves to empower the sniper, who already thinks of himself as "God."
(And I don't know what "BOLO" is, so I can't comment on that!)
"Be On the Look Out"
I don't want to start any flame wars with this comment, but it seems quite clear that LE does not view the average citizen as being able or willing to assist. Rather, LE is treating the average American citizen, and the media, as hindrances to their investigation. I beg to differ. LE has already made use of the media to broadcast their messages to the sniper, or the note-writer, or the phone-caller or all of the above.
I submit that the fear level increases as the public is denied information. As the fear level increases, the confusion increases, and as the confusion increases, the fear level increases, and so on. This only serves to empower the sniper, who already thinks of himself as "God."
You're exactly correct. There was a great psychological divide between higher police officials and the public, and in many cases lower level police officers and the public as well. There is a "contempt of citizen" atmosphere in the Chief's Offices around the country, I fear, and that atmosphere leaks out into the rest of the station.
When the police treat the citizens like mushrooms, they should not be surprised at the loss of respect and support they might later experience.