Letters

I’m curious about your policy regarding naming names, particularly in stories regarding crime. I’ve noted that, often, in the police blotter, the name of a business is omitted or occluded when an incident has occurred there. Is that to protect the business? I think it would be more helpful to your readership to include the names of the businesses so we can be aware of any risks.

Similarly, I thought the story about the eviction in Water Mill was lacking in useful information for the reader [“After More Than a Year, Unwanted Occupants Evicted,” Residence, 27east.com, October 15]. The names of the victims were included, but the identities of the trespassers were not shared. Surely, this info is in the court filings. Seems to me it would be far more valuable to readers to know the names in case they encounter these individuals as potential renters, or in case these individuals use the “dad-has-cancer scam” on other well-meaning people.

Finally, I wonder about the DWI listings in the police blotter. I’m undecided about the public value of naming names here. Seems like old-fashioned shaming. And the inconsistencies in your policy leads me to wonder if all DWI arrests are recorded by name in the paper or if some are omitted or occluded.

A coherent and consistent policy regarding the use of names would be most helpful to your readership.

Patricia McCormick

North Haven

The Express News Group policy is to name defendants charged with most misdemeanor crimes and all felonies. This includes all DWI arrests, with no exceptions. In reporting on criminal activity, the names of businesses are included when provided in a police report. When reporting on civil matters concerning sensitive issues, especially when children are involved, The Express News Group exercises discretion to withhold names of some involved parties — Ed.