OVN Launches Ask Cops Blog
By Chris T. Wilson
A new blog has gone live on the Internet recently with the intent of bringing an open dialogue between citizens of the Ojai Valley and the Ojai Police.
Ojai Valley News senior editor Lenny Roberts said he was inspired to set up the blog following comments made by Administrative Sgt. Steve Arthur during an OVN in-depth interview conducted by managing editor Misty Volaski on Sept. 9.
The blog address, ovncops.blogspot.com/, allows readers to e-mail “legitimate questions regarding police issues,” to roberts@ojaivalleynews.com, which Roberts will then post on the blog to be answered by Sgt. Arthur.
“We often hear grumblings about the police, and maybe this will be a way to give the public the opportunity to ask intelligent questions and get them answered,” Roberts said.
Arthur said that when he was stationed in Camarillo before being transferred to the Ojai Substation recently, that he would answer questions from the public on a local television station.
“I think we can do a better job about letting the public know what we can do for the community and what the community can do to help us do a better job of policing,” Arthur said. “I want people to know that the station number, 646-1414, is a place to call in tips and that they can remain confidential.”
Capt. Chris Dunn said he’s happy to have the blog as a way to offer a greater layer of transparency for the department with the public.
“I thought this would be a nice way to have a two-way communication with the community that we serve,” Dunn said. “This is a way that we can address issues and inform people about how we operate and help them understand what we do that they may not know about.”
A link to this blog, and other informative pages — including restaurant closures, Ojai’s Wanted, CHP and Fire Department updates — is located under the “Our Community” banner on the right side of the Ojai Valley News website home page, ojaivalleynews.com.
“I think the more information we can put up for the public and let them decide what to do with it, the better,” Roberts said.
Something like this is long overdue. I’ve been reading comments about certain police “issues” for years and the public is poorly informed. As a whole, the public really has no idea what the police can and can’t do, and I think this blog would be perfect to answer questions.
I find it amazing that the public has no idea of certain procedures and tactics used today by our police departments. It in too many cases, boils down to asking a friend who in turn, has no clue either!
But…the public also must keep in mind, that if questions are asked about an on going investigation, information at that time, will be limited and understand that.
I look forward to looking at the blog, and hats off to OVN and Sgt. Arthur.
It’s a good idea, but even when the law and common sense comes into the fray police dept. often say they are stuck in the middle. Meanning the direct powers to be direst us to do their bidding, not the majority of the citezens.
Sorry to sound negative, but often times and 98% of the time these outreach programs end up making the Police look like the unreachable entity. Bad for them… The big problem is if you are an active member of the Military or Police force, you can Never,Never be allowed to tell your personal oppinion how things should be. You just follow orders…
Why are the Police and Millitary denided the 1st ammendment???This needs to be questioned..
Sorry for the misspells
Here is another suggestion: maybe someone could design a website such as this – www.elcajonneighbors.org This a very nice website with links to many agencies and super informative. Another website is – www.elcajonpolice.org