Dear Law Enforcement Officers, residents of Westchester, Rockland, Putnam and Dutchess Counties,
The White Plains Police Benevolent Association represents all police officers of all ranks below Chief employed by the City of White Plains, New York. On December 23, 2012, The Journal News published, in both print and online, the names and addresses of individuals who have a firearm carry permit in Westchester, Rockland and Dutchess counties.
Let me start by saying “SHAME ON YOU JANET HASSON”. It is shocking that an editor of a paper would say such a thing. I would have more respect for you if you would just admit that the printing of this map was in poor judgement. As law enforcement officers, we are held to higher standards, which I believe you as an editor of a paper should be held to. Your job should be to print news that is informative to assist your readers, not put their safety at risk.
You, Mrs. Hasson, you did just this by printing a map of legal law abiding gun holders, you jeopardized the whole public. I know that we cannot (at this time) make a connection between the burglary in White Plains, where a gun safe was attempted to be opened and the recent burglary in Rockland, where two guns were stolen from locked safes, but it is my belief and the belief of many others that your paper is responsible for this and who knows how many others due to the release of your permit holders map. Your irresponsibility has put at least two guns in the hands of bad guys, who now have the means to start robbing the residents of these areas that you so called assisted in making their communities safer by the printing of your map.
You stated that, “We do not cower”. Really, Mrs. Hasson If I looked up the definition of coward in the dictionary, there would be a picture of you with your armed guards. I’m pretty sure that your employees and the rest of us cannot afford armed guards to protect us from at least two guns that are on the street now due to your map.
In closing I am demanding for your resignation as editor of The Journal News. You have disgraced the employees of this paper and not only put the safety of them and their families at risk but also the safety of all law enforcement officers and residents in jeopardy to. Your reckless printing of this map has endangered so many of us and assisted the bad guys in their endeavor to get their hands on guns. Your feeble attempt at highlighting permit holders information and their residence will contribute to future burglaries.
Great job Janet!
Yours truly,
Robert T. Riley
President White Plains PBA
