To the editor,

I am a former reporter and retired journalism professor.

Citizens want to know about law enforcement activities in their neighborhoods, towns, county, state and country. That’s why many of us read newspapers, listen to radio and watch news on TV. And that’s why

Wisconsin has assured legal access to information that is specifically identified as public records.

Included in those records is information detailing the daily activities of law enforcement. Wisconsin law designates traffic accident reports and daily arrest logs or police “blotters” as public records. One need not be a journalist to see public records. They are accessible upon request to anyone. You’re not required to identify yourself nor explain why you want the information.

But it is certainly more convenient to read the details in our local newspaper. The Pierce County Journal does an excellent job reporting information for its local communities.

The Journal regularly publishes details from surrounding communities as recently as the following week or two. For example in the recent Oct. 9 issue specific dated incident reports were as follows: Ellsworth PD 9/30-10/6, Pierce County Sheriff’s office 9/30-10/7, Pierce County accident reports 9/16-9/25, Prescott PD 9/23-9/29. But the River Falls PD report covered only 8/6-8/13.

My interest is in timely reporting of law enforcement activities. I am baffled by why River Falls reports are often more than a month old. If the Journal can deliver details from other communities so speedily, why are River Falls reports “old news?”

Since the Journal’s editor is a skilled and effective reporter (and a graduate of UWRF’s Journalism program), I am confident she is not at fault.

As the saying goes, “Inquiring minds want to know.”

Sandy Ellis

River Falls