1019/08 READER SUBMITTED COMMENTS: Our Police

OUR POLICE

A few months ago, a young man from Darien lost his life in a tragic way. He was a blond haired, blue-eyed, former lax star at the Darien High School, attending a local college. His family is known by many as just one of those families who are just GREAT PEOPLE.

The young man was reported missing and, within 24 hours, his body was found in New Canaan at Waveny Park. The search had ended...the result, every parent's (family and friends included)nightmare.

The Darien Police and the New Canaan Police worked quickly and diligently on the "missing persons" notification. They should be commended for their swift action, despite the unfortunate conclusion.


However, a police officer from Darien, gave a comment to the press on the same day of the sad discovery. She didn't leave it as "it is under investigation," which would be the prudent response in this case, BUT RATHER ended with "the young many had a history of mental illness."


Now, I don't know about the rest of you, but I think if something is "under investigation," enough said. Especially if there is no reason to suspect criminal activity. There is no need to add speculation or plant negative ideas. This police officer set the stage for weeks of unnecessary gossip, while a family and town was in mourning.


I suppose the report could have remained as a matter of "public record" at the police station like a hundred others do, instead of part of the news coverage in the Darien Times and Stamford Advocate..

There is a time and a place for publicity, and there is a time and a place for tact and respect.

If the young man was hit by an unidentified driver and killed (as in the tragic case of Joey, of Greenwich), then that should be the time for full accountability.....bombs away!!!!!

I don't understand why these two-bit town newspapers and some of their police consistantly make such horrific public mistakes.

But I have to wonder why we put up with it. There is either too much information, (commonly WRONG) or no information at all.

I'm happy to find Darien News, written as it should be, here ON LINE. I'm also happy we can add our thoughts and comments.

Thank you for including our town of Darien, in the Greenwich Roundup.

Mike G.

Comment:

Dear Mike,

I have been surprised at the quick response and interest that Darien Citizen's have had in Darien Roundup. I must confess that I do not know much about Darien and am very dependent on Letter Writers and citizen journalists such as yourself.

Mike you seem to be very informed. You are clearly aware of what is going on in Greenwich, New Canaan, as well as, Darien. I should be as well finformed as you are. Soon we hope to add New Canaan Roundup and Stamford Roundup.

Darien seems starved for local news and a local forum. It is odd that the mainstream media would ignore such a rich and vibrant community as Darien.

Please continue to contribute to Darien Roundup and I will try and do a better job of finding and updating the news.

Later I will add permeate links to Darien Roundup from Greenwich Roundup. I am sure that their are many Darien residents who used to live or have family in Greenwich. There are probably many Greenwich residents that work in Darien.

There are many ties between Darien and Greenwich. For example two out of the three local newspapers are owned by Hearst Newspapers. We have The Time and citizen and you have the Advocate and News-Review.

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