A recent crime in the G section of Crofton, MD, showed just how difficult it is to balance a police investigation with notification to residents. Sgt. Sara Schriver, a police representative, and lead investigator of the case, defended the police actions. During the course of an investigation, police are reluctant to let out any details in order not to compromise a potential conviction. This is understandable and also runs directly into a need by residents to know when a crime is committed in their neighborhood as soon as possible.
The crime, a rape of a seven year old, is horrible by any stretch of the imagination. The suspect, was arrested less than a day after the crime was committed. Residents felt that the police should have been more forthcoming with information about the crime being committed in their neighborhood, prior to the arrest.
Good points on both sides and no resolution in the foreseeable future. The police felt that since they had a police presence in the area prior to the arrest, that residents safety wasn’t that much of an issue. Most residents didn’t feel that was an adequate answer.
While these types of crimes in Crofton are rare, we need to keep the dialogue between police and residents open. Both have needs that have to be met.
