MY RANT: POLICE, SCHOOLS SHOULD HAVE DONE MORE SOONER TO INFORM AND AVOID RUMORS

When we launched Maplewoodian.com more than six years ago, one of the driving forces was an effort to make sure that only accurate, well-sourced and worthwhile news be reported for our township. And have some fun, too.

You may recall at that time, there was no news source other than the News-Record and Maplewoodonline. Of course, MOL has never really been promoted as a news source, more as a bulletin board and discussion site. Sadly that has allowed it to be taken over by many who issue mean-spirited attacks, as well as unsubstantiated rumors and false information.

In the wake of the recent weapons incidents at Columbia High School and Maplewood Middle School, that negative aspect of MOL has permeated.


Unfortunately, as the Internet has grown and more people have used it to put out information, rumors and inaccuracies have also taken hold. Not just on MOL, but on other sites.

During the past few days as the fallout from the MMS and CHS incidents have been reported and responded to by police and district officials, false rumors and fear-mongering have taken their place.

Not only on MOL, where incorrect assertions of a so-called MMS "hit-list" circulated and other wrong claims of violent plans for the high school were spread, but in emails and other online platforms.

Sadly, the police and district officials have had to take time out of their daily work to reach out and correct this gossip and dangerous false spreading of lies.

But cops and school leaders are partially to blame as well. It has been days since the first incident occurred at MMS and police and administration leaders have not made themselves available to the press, or public, to respond to concerns and questions. If a press event were held sooner, rumors could have been knocked down before they started. Because of this lack of response, the "hit-list" and other lies were able to be spread. 

Although some facts about the cases -- the ages and grades of the suspects and the type of weapons involved -- were released, it took more than a day in each case and other information about where the weapons came from, the possible motives and whether gang activity was involved, remains unknown.

We know that both investigations are ongoing, but a show of security and firm oversight would have helped keep false lies and stories from spreading. 

In recent years, when Hurricanes Irene and Sandy hit town, the Township and police held several press events at Town Hall that were a great help to the press, residents and the township because information could be revealed easily and in one location. With the school incidents being explained via dribs and drabs of information, speculation was able to grow and fears were increased.

The school district finally announced a Town Hall meeting on Friday, but that will not be held until Monday night, five days after the first incident.

This is another reminder that when rumors are heard and speculation is spread, the only thing that can come of it is more rumors and worries during an already volatile time.

Hopefully residents will make sure they go only to reliable news sources for information in the future and those in charge of our schools and our safety make sure they provide as much information to the public as needed.