Editorial | Heather Elvis secrecy similar to lack of transparency in Ferguson
The common denominator between Michael Brown and Heather Elvis is not race, gender or violence.
Its government secrecy.
Racial angst and anger over Browns death surely drove the pillaging and plundering of Ferguson, but police secrecy fanned the flames.
Despite a grand jury review of mountains of evidence, details of which are now public, police hiding the facts as the case initially unfolded only made Ferguson folks angrier. Disclosing them later on didnt quell the angst.
The lack of transparency in the Heather Elvis case has been chilling. Long before there was even a gag order, police were overly secretive and reticent to say anything meaningful. Police redacted the original police report in such a way that it suggested someone whos never been charged was a person of interest. The media was needlessly whisked away from Peachtree Boat landing for an organized search of the Waccamaw River.
Living in Horry County for a few short years, it immediately became apparent to me that the local LE and Judicial System were not transparent. I learned early on about the so-called "Good 'Ole Boy Network" it's alive and well. The Mayor and the Town Clownsil have always given me an impression of being slimy and conniving. That, their circle had their own agenda and will continue to do it their way no matter what.
This place has a lot more heinous crime than the officials in power want you to know about including: murder, senseless shootings and stabbings, home invasions, robberies, and statistically (unspoken), a high number of missing persons.
Since moving here, I have seen countless crimes committed that make your head spin and say, "what the ___________
(fill in the blank)!" :facepalm:
Protecting the Tourist Industry here is certainly to blame and no one can deny that! Who wants to vacation in a high-crime ridden cesspool that Hourry County and the Grand Strand has become? Mask it from the public's eye and they will still come here to spend their hard-earned dollars. The local Gov. will even collect on their illegal "tourist" tax (IMO) to continue their propagandistic [advertising] campaign in which they tout Myrtle Beach as the East Coast's #1 vacation spot.
So, as far as Heather's concerned and IMOO, I feel a bit unnerved about the case overall. From the beginning (as well as other cases I've seen here), there has been a total lack of urgency. Everything is reactionary around here IMO. I am not totally confident in the amount of true evidence and am really tired of guessing and the speculation. Sure, the M's
seem to have a mountain of suspicion upon them but, without cold-hard evidence, it won't be enough for a jury in court to convict them.
And, what evidence does the general public actually have that they have already proven the M's guilty on all counts? It behoves me to think that anyone could get a fair trial with this lynch-mob way of thinking.
The author of the editorial hits it on the head when s(he) says, "...police have the power to lock someone up, and then go look for evidence later."
It's no different from the 'shoot first ask questions later' mentality. Do we really want to live in a Police State or Country that locks everyone up because they look guilty? Or, even a community that is so quick to convict someone (including a LE official) without all the facts?
So, what is the evidence and how would it hurt a conviction?
The local LE needs the support and the help from the Community not a divide. They need to be transparent so that they will have the community's trust.
With the current situations, if you will, that are in the Nation's eyesight right now (Ferguson & NYC), there are discussion about how we can
all change. Without getting off-topic about Civil Rights and how to properly police cities and states, the key word here is "trust".
How can one side or the other get along without trust? How can one be fair or impartial without it? How can our courts convict or even free someone without trusting the system? And after it's all said and done: accept the outcome because we ALL trust it was the correct decision.
This may be an outlandish thought, because I know it will never happen in my lifetime. That, we all get along. Everyone has an opinion and is set in their way of thinking. But, a little trust can go a long way.
I stated above that I think the local Gov. here is slimy. That's because I don't trust them. Give me a reason to change my opinion then! Earn my trust. I'm open to change.
Who am I and why do I even need to know this information?
Not that it would ever come to be but, if the tables were turned and any one of us were put in the M's situation, would you want to be locked away and not told the specific reason(s) why? I know I wouldn't.
Seeing the evidence or lack thereof would help me garnish my own opinion. I would have a sense of trust in knowing that the system works and move on.
When someone hides something, isn't forthwith with information, or is altogether silent, I tend to get suspicious myself. That being the case in this situation.
IMO, the overall silence is a sign to me that LE is either hiding or protecting something. I appreciate that they are steadfast on trying to make a conviction stick but, at what expense?
Section 9 of The State's Constitution states: 'All courts shall be public...'. Are they in fact adhering to the laws of the State?
I also think that Judge John is delaying the release of evidence requested by the Waccamaw Publishers. Whether this stall tactic is a good thing or not to help the case, I don't know? But, I feel like it's an abuse of power and I don't like this type of Governmental control. Who does?
If the local authorities here (or in any community) could somehow earn the trust and respect of its people (and each other), I think things would be a lot better on both sides. We're a long way off but, we need progress not regress!
Where is Heather? :gaah:
A few interesting reads (in no particular order):
Criminal investigation into MB chamber-related donations continues
FBI, IRS probe Myrtle Beach campaign donations
Myrtle Beach invests tens of thousands of dollars into China
Myrtle Beach Mayor's salary increases by more than double
Five Guys in Murrells Inlet latest in string of armed restaurant robberies
Police: 8 Socastee High students bully student, record incident on camera
Horry County Schools Superintendent to receive nearly $430,000 in payouts
Superintendent Elsberry agrees to cooperate with any investigations as part of nearly $430,000 resignation deal
Crime rate in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (SC): murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, auto thefts, arson, law enforcement employees, police officers, crime
Violent crimes bolster Myrtle Beach's 'Most Dangerous Places' rank
Missing in Myrtle Beach: 'Every time we turn around, there is another case'
Body cameras 'effective' tool to promote safety
Horry County police say missing Myrtle Beach area teen ran away from home
ACTIVE SEARCH SC - April Cline, 16, Myrtle Beach area, 22 October 2014
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