Our Thirst For Immediate News

In today's world where everyone is connected to the global big picture, I think it is fair to say people have an addiction for immediate news. It began many years ago when 24-hour news networks began to feed us constant updates and provide live video footage of breaking news. Now when we hear about a breaking story, we expect to see video right away and have the story told to us in moments rather than hours later. Our connectivity today with electronic devices has us tuned into the world like never before. Text alerts with breaking news are now delivered directly to our cell phones - no need to even look for these stories. The flow of information is almost immediate.

I am as guilty of that as anyone. While enjoying the Lakeland High football game last night, I checked for scoring updates on the Tampa Bay Rays' game and looked to see how Boston was doing against the Blue Jays. Text message updates were shared throughout our section of the stands. People want to know the latest as soon as it happens.

And so it should come as no surprise to me that one bit of constant feedback we get here is for more neighborhood crime information on a quicker basis than weekly crime maps. People want to know what is going on in their neighborhoods to satisfy a desire for immediate news and to feel safe. Both are reasonable expectations that police departments should try to accomplish.

The challenge to us then is to create a system by which crime news can be released as close to real time as possible and to do that with what is arguably very limited resources. One of the traits of a visionary organization striving to constantly improve its systems and processes is when leaders ask questions like "What if we could..." or "Wonder if there is a way...". I believe we are up to the challenge.

Transparent government agencies find ways to meet the needs of their communities and keep the flow of information open so people can easily learn what is going on. We pride ourselves in accomplishing this goal.

I KNOW we are up to the challenge.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere