However, I did summon George Costanza…
CTV News in Calvary, Canada blithely reported this as if it made perfect sense…
“Calgary police have released a photo of a suspect wanted in connection with a fire in the community of Riverbend that damaged multiple homes. Emergency crews were called to a home in the 100 block of Riverglen Crescent S.E. at 12:40 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22 for reports of a blaze. The fire gutted a garage and caused damage to two homes. No injuries were reported.”
And here’s the photo police posted:
Yup, it was that infamous Dick Tracy villain, Blur-Face! “Because police think the suspect is a teen, they blurred the face in the photo that was released,” the CTV says. Oh. Makes perfect sense—in Canada, maybe. “The identity of young offenders is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act,” we are told.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but if young offenders’ identities are protected, why are police asking people to identify this one? Officers are hoping someone may recognize the teen’s clothing, you see. My brain hurts: so they can publicize aspects of a “young offender’s identity” as long as it’s…what, not sufficient to be likely to identify him?
How does it advance respect for law enforcement to have police do something this pointless without out their appearing to acknowledge it’s probably futile? How does news media justify reporting the senseless as if it makes perfect sense?
Ethics Alarms 
To be fair, its quite possible police know how stupid it is, but still feel like they have to do something. Doesn’t the law tie a lot of hands?
I suppose this is what happens when social workers are used to prevent crime.
Mug shots have been verboten for a number of years now. Why? The suspect might be of color. Can’t have that, can we?
I should have said, “publishing mug shots is verboten.” Come to think of it, I suppose we should be grateful they are still allowed, along with things like DNA testing and fingerprints. I bet the ACLU and the defense bar are working on getting all of those thrown out of law enforcement’s toolbox!
Just wait until they demand racial quotas for suspects. Oh, I shouldn’t have said that…it might give them ideas.
THIS is why so many outfits are no longer publishing mug shots:
Horror on campus as Arizona college student is randomly stabbed by classmate who thought she was an ‘easy target’ | Daily Mail Online
The Daily Mail published this suspect’s photo. I doubt The Arizona Republic did. And of course, no one seems to be able to figure out a motive. No sirree.