Dear Editor, I am fairly new to UMKC, so I am unfamiliar with the history of the Police Blotter that appears in University News.
I wish to express my opposition to such negative reporting.
I (and others) question why this is a feature of the student newspaper and what possible reason you could argue for including it.
Here are my reasons for removing it:
Students are fully aware that crime occurs in Kansas City, including in and around campus. They do not need reminders.
If a student wants information on criminal activity, he/she can find that fairly easily.
Publishing these incidents will not make crime go away nor will it stop a person from being a victim.
This reminds me of the small-town newspaper that reports every chicken stolen and every cow tipped.
And, most importantly, the Police Blotter sends a negative message to new students and potential students. We are trying to attract students to UMKC, not scare them away.
This space could be put to better use with positive, informative and enlightening news about UMKC and Kansas City.
I hope you will consider my request and replace the Police Blotter with something more timely and actually relevant to campus life.
Thanks,
Sally Mason,
Interdiscplinary Programs Administrative Assistant,
College of Arts and Sciences
