I felt the need to respond to "Keep it a Secret" regarding the male "sex" ring in Oakwood Cemetery and other local parks, and the request to keep the names of the men confidential.First of all, these arrests were a matter of public record and would be found in the booking log as soon as they were arrested. Anyone that wishes to obtain these records need merely to contact the clerk's office to do so. And Ms. Rogers, you are correct about public humiliation of these men, but perhaps that should have been a forethought and not an afterthought?
As far as the Times-Union and their sense of ethics and social responsibility, I praise them for their work. I live next to Oakwood Cemetery and frequently walk back there because it is peaceful. As a criminal justice student, I know that walking in on a crime being committed is extremely high-risk. Panic of being caught is how violence occurs, and by sending the message that says you will be caught and people will know who you are, you are aiding in social responsibility. So as far as social responsibility goes, I think that the Times-Union absolutely made the right decision. If they had not released the names, another media source would have.
I am sorry you are not a "media fan," and I can agree with you in certain circumstances, but not when it comes to my safety or the safety of the ones that I love.
