Learn the Public Information Act

As residents of Ellicott City, we have the right to certain information. Under the Public Information Act, we are entitled to public information. So I find it disturbing when police departments don't provide citizens with public information. As a former journalist, I've encountered this problem in the past. Police departments telling me and other citizens that they can't give us certain information. Well, they can and they should!

In the recent story about the along Baltimore National Pike, there are the following sentences, "According to police, the suspects then forced the car's driver to drive them to a different location on Baltimore National Pike, where they fled the vehicle. Police did not disclose where the suspects got out." What do you mean police did not disclose the information? As residents of Ellicott City, we should know where the suspects fled the vehicle.

A few months ago, an armed robbery occurred in my neighborhood. When a resource officer came to talk to the residents a few weeks later, she said she couldn't give us the report about the incident. No, she can give us the report and she should.

I challenge all residents to learn about the Public Information Act. Not everyone, including leaders and public service workers, have a clear understanding of the act. Don't let yourself do the same. Learn the act, know what information you are entitled to and challenge those who say you can't have the information.