Letter About Police Not Based on Facts
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I am responding to the Feb. 21 letter claiming the “actions of the Southern Pines police violate our basic rights.”
Unfortunately, the writer took aim at the Southern Pines Police Department without knowing or understanding what actually occurred, what law-enforcement agencieswere or were not involved or the statutory and constitutional provisions that relate to those incidents.
Of even more concern, The Pilot chose to print the letter without verifying the basic, underlying facts. While I respect the right of every citizen to voice concerns and seek redress, I would hope that a responsible citizen would do so in a productive manner rather than making a public statement based upon incorrect assumptions. A phone call to the department’s public information officer or me would have allowed us to provide factual information. The community would be better served by The Pilot if a balanced perspective was presented.
The department instituted a process several years ago to review our response if a citizen is dissatisfied with the action of an employee. We welcome the opportunity to review our procedures and make changes where appropriate. Information on the process to register a complaint or compliment an employee is on our Web site, www.southernpines.net/police.
Our goal is one of “continuous improvement.” All citizens have the opportunity to bring concerns directly to the department. Refusal to do so is an abdication of citizen responsibility that results in merely the opportunity to “vent” without any positive outcome.
Given the opportunity, we would have reached out to the writer to discuss his comments directly and address each concern based upon facts. Unfortunately, we were not given this opportunity before the letter was published. As a result, the hard-working men and women of the Southern Pines Police Department have been maligned without cause.
John Letteney
Chief of Police
Southern Pines
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Comments
AllNatural 3 years, 2 months ago
Well said, Mr. Letteney.
RmeMP 3 years, 2 months ago
Mr. Letteney, I for one would like to say "thank you" to your entire department. Thank you for doing the best that you guys can everyday to protect my family, and thank you for for doing the best that you guys can to protect the jurisdiction of Southern Pines. I was slightly upset myself that the Pilot printed such a slanderous blog from an obviously disgruntled citizen, without thinking of the possible morale effect that the article would have on the brave men and women in your department. A newspaper is not the place to vent about unfounded accusations against law enforcement. If I am not mistaken, when a person signs up to use this website they must provide a personal email address; maybe The Pilot should have read their post before publishing it, and emailed the "concerned citizen" to recommend they file on official complaint through the department - instead of blasting some of the hardest working professionals in the county. A public forum would be the next step, in my opinion, if that citizen were unhappy about the responce the recieve from the department. Again, I would like you to know, and please tell eveyone in your department, how much you and your professionalism are appreciated by the majority in this county - THANK YOU!!!
None 3 years, 2 months ago
Blogs and threads provide a communication link to society as a whole. Opinions may be expressed openly without editorial censorship; it's called free speach! China is well known for shutting down Google in an attempt to limit comments that are closely monitored by government. I applaud The Pilot for allowing citizens to offer their views and comments in an on-line forum.
A police department should not attempt to stiffel public comment about their treatment by a member of that department. One thread commented on the numerous attempts to elicit a response to their complaint; and according to the post, was completely ignored. One writer who posted a Letter to the Editor regarding his many attempts to speak with Chief Ronnie Davis of the Pinehurst Police Department were unanswered, and expressed his frustration through a public forum.
"Given the opportunity, we would have reached out to the writer to discuss his comments directly and address each concern based upon facts". Chief Litteney ~ perhaps communication has changed over the years, but I question whose facts. Are your officers always relaying the facts, when perhaps their job may be on the line?
My son was home from college visiting friends in SP. (At this point let me add a backstory) when my sons were young, we as a family would have dinner and then walk around downtown for some exercise and window shop. Ending up at the ice cream shop.
He and another friend decided to walk around downtown. A patrol cruser pass by a couple of times. When they returned to my sons car, the patrol car pulled in behind them at which time they were asked to put their hands on the top of the car. They were briefly frisked for weapons ~ understandably. My son told the officer that he was a college student home for break, and he and his friend produced college identification. He was asked by the officer if he could search his car. My son called me and I told him to politely tell the officer no, that he would need a warrant. The officer became irritated but finally let my son and his friend go, following them to the city limits. Neither my son or his friend were drinking or have never used drugs. So whose facts would be appropriate in this situation?
I would believe my son ~ Chief Litteney.
pilotreader 3 years, 2 months ago
Freedom of speech. It's a wonderful thing.
Yukonjohn 3 years, 2 months ago
Chief Letteney, First, let me thank you and your staff for your courageous service in a thankless job. I have relatives that live in SP and appreciate your determination to keep that beautiful town safe.
That said, I was pulled over 13 or 14 years ago while down on a visit from Alaska. I was detained because I was in a known drug area (but passing through). I had not been in West SP in years, and just rode through, marvelling at the changes for the better. I was briefly searched for weapons, then asked to have my vehicle searched. I declined. I was let go after a stern warning from the officer.
I would caution officers when they make a stop of anyone. Think about what the 4th Amendment of the US Constitution says....that person you are stopping has the God given right to be secure in their person and property from illegal search. Just a thought. As I had said in another thread, I work for emergency services in Alaska and am on an Incident Management Team and work with LE regularily. I have great respect for you guys and gals, but also for our Constitution.
armytrucker 3 years, 2 months ago
Toda, I can empathize with you about your sons but I have personal knowledge that some of Moore County's biggest drug dealers look and act like sweet little college students to those whom they are trying to impress. Yet when they are caught in the act they are just as nasty as the dangerous African American stereotype so many want to believe are the only drug dealers. Your kids being college students doesn't hold much water in that sense. Should cops only investigate those that appear to fit that stereotype? There are plenty of drug dealers at Crimequest and most, I can assure you don't fit many's normal perception of a drug dealer.
None 3 years, 2 months ago
@armytrucker ~ I understand your inference regarding stereotyping drug dealers. I've seen over the years that most volume dealers are white collar - several from prestigious gated communities or high-end neighborhoods.
An experienced officer who has training in drug intervention, would probably recorded a license number and run a 10-28; when the name comes back, drug investigators would recognize a car and a name. Rest assured, investigators who are actively working profiles, possess the knowledge to distinguish between a suspect and someone who doesn't appear on their investigation radar. I wasn't aware that Southern Pines has drug dealers walking the downtown area selling from street corners. I have seen uniformed officers walking downtown and checking doors late in the evening.
Yukonjohn 3 years, 2 months ago
jdep, I, too, respect Law Enforcement and would thank them for the outstanding job they do almost every hour of every day. I also respect your right to act as you feel when approached by Govt. Officials, ie. police or whomever. We were given by birthright, as Americans, unalienable rights, as appear in the Bill of Rights to the US Constitution. Ben Franklin, in 1755 said the following:
Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
We need to be ever mindful of our rights and ensure they are protected.
pilotreader 3 years, 2 months ago
"If I am ever stopped by your officers, please feel free to search my car and myself, I have nothing to hide and will thank them for searching me, thats the way criminals are caught."~jdep.
Although that is your perogative, I find it beyond frightening that you are so easily willing to give up your personal freedom. Please don't refer to us as "whining" for appreciating the freedoms that we enjoy in this country. You having "nothing to hide" is not even the point. I agree with Yukonjohn 100%.
I've also noticed in this and other blogs jdep that you like to refer to people having opinions other than your own as "whiners." Just a suggestion...if you would like to have any credibility or be taken at all serious please drop the juvenile name calling.
dustyrhoades 3 years, 2 months ago
Cory Doctorow's excellent Young Adult book "Little Brother" has the best counter I've ever read to the "if you're doing nothing wrong, why don't you want to be searched?" argument. It's worth reading the whole thing (and Doctorow actually allows you to download the book for free if you want), but here's the money quote:
"It's not about doing something shameful. It's about doing something private. It's about your life belonging to you."
Yukonjohn 3 years, 2 months ago
Dustyrhoades, I am enlightened by your comment. I have family that have that same feeling....if one is doing nothing wrong, they should not worry about being searched. I never have any concern over anything that I might be doing being illegal, but as that quote says, I might be doing something private....or even not, but it is MY BUSINESS. As long as my actions are not affecting any others, and it is legal conduct, it is NONE of ANYONES business, including the police. A good friend of mine, long deceased, Joe Vogler once said:
"Government is not the giver of rights; only God confers these to the people. People create government, giving it certain and limited powers. Only eternal vigilance by the people will confine government to its proper role."
I just want to try and convince all Americans that we need to cherish our civil rights, and protect them with all of our might.
Uniblogger 3 years, 2 months ago
Funny thing...Mr. Letteney did not plainly say this did not happen...he kind of danced around it, but that is just my humble opinion.
dashjackson 3 years, 2 months ago
Yes, I definitely agree with the police that the pilot DOES NOT verify its facts - especially John Chappell. I think he just reaches up to the stars. I will no longer read the pilot because of his attacks on good people.
tneal14 3 years, 2 months ago
Opinions are not facts. Opinions-everybody's got 'em. I'd like to believe that between our intelligence and common sense we could tell the difference between a factual statement and an opinion. Just because you don't agree with someone's OPINION you have decided not to read the entire paper? I certainly would not let an opposing view make that much of an impact on me. Be like a duck and let it roll off your back...
clbvpm 3 years, 2 months ago
Amen! Amen! dashjackson, you are so correct about John Chappell's articles. His reports are sensationalism. He would make an excellent reporter for the "National Enquier". His articles also need to be graded for correct grammar. You can not follow them and sometimes they even lack a subject. And, I know from personal experience, that if you want to be misquoted, he is the man to do that for you.
dashjackson 3 years, 2 months ago
tneal - the article I was referring to had nothing to do with the police comments - you must not read or know John Chappel very well. If you did you would agree with me and clbvpm. Get some facts before you tell me to let it roll of my back when they are personal attacks and LIES to attack people he doesn't like. John, go back to your Carthage and Robbins articles. They seem to be your type because you feel ABOVE them and intimidated by the elite crowd............ and I know this from personal experience because I know you well. People, don't let John fool you, if he comes to you for interview, I suggest you tell him to leave. He will misquote you and smile all the way to Mr. Woronoff to get a pat on the pack. They are both evil.
clbvpm 3 years, 2 months ago
dashjackson ~ you are so correct again. A couple of years ago Mr. Cappel questioned me concerning a tragedy in northern Moore County. He approached me with a condescending attitude. He asked me if I had ever taken Latin and then proceeded to tell me how an article should be written. When he did write the article, he misquoted me. The article was full of "he said, she saids". So, how accurate was the article? If he misquoted me, who else was misquoted? I have made several calls to the Pilot office to comment on some of his articles. On my last call, I was actually privileged to talk with Steve Bouser. He hung up on me. I called Mr. Woronoff, he was out of town. I left a message. He has not returned the call. But, it has only been 4 weeks since the call. He may be too busy. LOL. Maybe, if all the good folks in northern Moore County would just say "NO COMMENT" to Mr, Chappel when he approaches them, he would have to actually research his material. Or better yet, he would have no story at all and have to go to work for the National Enquier. (If they would have him).
tneal14 3 years, 2 months ago
dashjackson-I am not on anyone's side-and you're right-I do not know the man. You know his MO so you're already one step ahead of him. I do know people like that (like the way you described him) & dealing with them on any level is horrible & draining. Maybe you are better off not reading his rants. You can't give people like that the time of day & you certainly can't let them ruin every other good thing for you. Maybe there's someone else you enjoy reading on the pilot. I just skip the writers that annoy me...
Sadbutistrue 3 years, 2 months ago
Armytrucker: Wow that comment you made back there" as dangerous as African American sterotypes"!!!! Wow is that what you think? Do your homework about drugs and the dealers. Thanks Toda,
JohnChappell 3 years, 2 months ago
Hello everyone. Everybody here at the paper is proud of our new website that lets readers comment, even when stung by personal attacks from masked writers who never bothered to e-mail or phone. Our names, our e-mail addresses, our telephone numbers are in the paper and on the web.
At the end of everything published under my name you will see the following:
Contact John Chappell at (910) 783-5841 or by e-mail at jchappell@thepilot.com
So call me or write me please. If you want to post something that refers to a story that appeared in the paper, it would help everybody if you include a link to it so others know what you are talking about. It would also help, if you feel you've been misquoted, to tell us what you actually said.
Except when in a place (like a courtroom) where recording is not allowed, I try to capture everything in an interview with a digital recorder. It isn't only for accuracy, but because the way folks actually express themselves is more interesting to read. So, if I get something wrong despite such precautions, please let me know.
By the way, let me humbly apologize for any grammatical or spelling errors or misquotes. Try as one might, they do creep in sometimes under deadline pressure. We all use spell checking software, and we all try to use good grammar. Any time you find one of these mistakes in my copy, please let me know. The Pilot pays for that cell phone service, and this is one reason.
Another reason is that the paper does not like anonymous statements. More than one good statement could not appear in a story, because its source wanted to be "off the record" about what they told us. As I said, everything we write has our name on it, and our contact information at the bottom. You will seldom, if ever, see a statement attributed to unnamed “sources” in The Pilot.
Sorry, dashjackson and cldvpm, for whatever I did or wrote that bothers you so much, whoever you are. I apologize for any misquotes or misspellings. As for spelling errors, my last name has a double-P in the middle and a double-L at the end.
That makes one L of a difference.
John Chappell