Just for the sake of identifying my topic, I will use his
name (Devin Kelley). I wish I had never
heard it. His very existence is an abomination,
and an enduring stain on his family and anyone who ever called him friend. Thankfully, he is dead.
I’ve written many times on my blog about ‘gun control’ and
my feelings regarding same. I feel that
most who offer opinions on how to prevent incidents like what took place in
Sutherland Springs, Texas are well meaning, but largely uninformed.
There are, of course, numerous elements in our society
believed to have contributed to the nurturing and development of someone like a Devin Kelley. You have heard them
before. Blame is ubiquitous in our
society: the media, gun control, lack of
mental health services, traumatic childhood, violent movies and video games;
even one might blame less than adequate law enforcement.
Nonetheless, based on my past career experience in federal law
enforcement (FBI); local law enforcement (Sheriff’s Office); as a corporate
security manager with a Fortune 100 company; and as a private investigator, I
will put forth my opinion - my proposed solution - not a cure all, but an
important step.
This country needs a 'national hotline.' A place where citizens can anonymously report
perceived or potential criminality and potentially dangerous individuals. I propose that this ‘hotline’ be a division
within the Department of Homeland Security and be staffed by properly trained
operators available on a 24 hour basis.
This concept is quite commonly used in large corporations. It could be implemented on a nationwide
level.
How many times have you heard the incredibly clichéd, entirely
useless comment? “If you see something,
tell someone.” And who might that
be: The FBI? The Bureau would probably cut you off before
you got two sentences out – with the comment “contact your local police.” The local police? Good luck with that. Overworked, chances are they would immediately write you
off as a ‘nut,’ and attempt to placate you with: “We’ll look into it.”
Listen, I’ve had a lot of experience dealing with all levels
of law enforcement and if someone were to ask me: “Who should I call?” I would tell them that I have no good
suggestions. I mean you can try, but 99%
of the time it will fall on deaf ears.
Probably the best way to report information is to write it up in some
detail and mail it, return receipt requested.
Of course, you would not be anonymous – you’re walking out on a limb;
but it kind of puts the locals or the Feds on the spot to take it somewhat seriously. And, it should be understood that you expose
yourself to possible danger (if the subject of your tip finds out) or a law suit
(if you caused an innocent person to be placed under undue suspicion or
actually caused them harm.)
That said, how will this national hotline work? Well, the operators receiving calls (or it could
be information anonymously received via email or regular post) would have to be extensively
trained to sift through incoming information. The FBI has made significant strides in
‘profiling’ and would necessarily be involved in the training process. This would be the first line of analysis or
filtration.
The subsequent step would involve a national record check to
include all federal and state crimes as well as civil matters such as ‘restraining
orders.’
Then social media would be searched. There is information via the net on almost
everyone at this point – as we all know or at least should know. Why not use it?
And finally, any information evaluated as credible would be
turned over to the FBI, or in some instances local law enforcement agencies,
for follow-up. Crank calls or repeat
crank callers could be identified and filtered out through a data base. Repeat offenders could be prosecuted in the
same manner that bomb threats are evaluated and prosecuted.
The FBI would perhaps require some expanded authority or
additional personnel to handle credible information regarding aggravated
situations or threats.
We have all this technology available. All this information available. Why not use it to prevent some of these tragic
incidents?
Would it or could it have prevented the Las Vegas
shooting? I don’t know. It might have.
Would it or could it have prevented the shooting in
Sutherland Springs? Almost certainly.
Would it or could it constitute an invasion of public privacy? No.
Almost all of the potential information sources set forth above are now
available to any good private investigator.
I can attest to that.
Some might say that the process would be overwhelming to available
resources. I do not agree. Large companies with thousands of employees
use ‘hot lines.’ They are not
overwhelmed. Generally large companies
‘outsource’ or contract for those services which would probably not be compatible
with a government program. However, if
the government was serious, it could be done.
And, it would be undoubtedly productive.
True Nelson
