The right to know

Veteran journalists have never seen anything like it.

In a year-end interview, RCMP in Penticton revealed to an online media agency that there were four homicides in the South Okanagan this year, but would only provide details on three.

It’s now up to the public to speculate on when and where this fourth homicide occurred.

Police assure us the public’s safety is not in jeopardy and that “the integrity of the investigation outweighs the need to notify the public of the particulars.”

In other words, mind your own business.

The media understands if it publishes extensive details of a major crime before the accused is brought to court, it could jeopardize the chance of a conviction — a long shot, but possible. However, with extreme cases such as a possible homicide, the death of a fellow citizen in our community, vague details such as the date and location should be provided.

In the new age of internet rumours and “fake news,” it’s more important than ever for police to provide accurate information to reputable news agencies. Supt. Ted DeJager is complaining some citizens “erroneously” believe the homicide occurred Dec. 19.

He caused the misunderstanding by refusing to verify it. If it was absolutely necessary to conceal this alleged crime, DeJager should have said nothing. It’s like people who boast, “I know a secret, but can’t tell you.”

B.C. RCMP have all kinds of spokespeople, but they’re not speaking.

This particular case, we understand, is extremely sensitive, but when death is involved, it usually is.

Had the Toronto media not learned of the suspicious deaths of Barry and Honey Sherman, would it have been kept quiet from the public? Now for the irony. When police need the public’s assistance to help solve a crime, they immediately run to the media for support ... and vast cooperation is always granted.

We’re told to trust the professionals with the RCMP and their experience in handling these kind of cases. It needs to work both ways. They too need to respect the veteran journalists, all who take their job seriously.