Oliver: Police calls just part of news we provide

If you read our Letters to the Editor, in print and online at NWHerald.com, maybe you’ve noticed a recent discussion about our police reports.

From the online comments, it’s clear that misconceptions persist.

Let me explain the process. I’ve been dealing with police reports for years.

First, every police department has its own format and way of handling the “blotter.”

For instance, the Lake in the Hills Police Department e-mails its list daily. Included are arrests and incidents to which officers responded, including health-related calls, thefts, etc.

Cary’s report, which our reporters must pick up, has a listing for each charge filed against a person. For example, if someone is stopped for making an improper turn, failing to yield, and driving without a license, there would be three entries.

Some departments, such as Algonquin, fax them. Some, such as McHenry, e-mail them to the reporter who covers that town.

The frequency can be daily, weekly, monthly. We try to print them in a timely fashion.

Some items, such as insurance-related damage reports, do not get in. Traffic stops that do not include drunken driving and other more-serious charges also do not.

Years ago, we included damaged mailboxes in Harvard. As the county has grown, we just don’t have the space for everything.

Police blotter items are public record. We don’t withhold them because a person is prominent or works here or owns a business or will be embarrassed.

Despite what the conspiracy theorists say.

If anything, the more important you are, the more likely you’ll see your item made into a story. And an employee here could find himself or herself at the top of a town’s listing.

If the incident is serious enough, we cover the trial.

But not every outcome will be printed; we don’t have the resources or space for that. Ultimately, it’s our decision.

If it’s major, the police departments will send out news releases. But not always.

Our reporters call each department daily. We listen to emergency scanners, too.

When we call, some dispatchers are courteous and helpful. Most understand that we are trying to get you (our readers) information so that you don’t have to call them yourselves. Which you can do; they work for you.

Some, particularly at night and on weekends, are less than pleasant. Let’s hope they aren’t like that when you call.

Do we miss things? Yes, despite our best efforts.

Your tips, therefore, are most appreciated.

Do we print police calls to humiliate people? No. But if it dissuades someone from breaking the law, well, maybe that’s a bonus.

Are they popular with readers? Yes.

People like to read about people.

So we print items about people doing things, good and bad.

Which is, although certainly open to debate, the very essence of news.

• Joan Oliver is a community editor for the Northwest Herald. She can be reached at 815-526-4552 or by e-mail at joliver@nwherald.com.