I believe this post skirts right around one of the main issues that has plagued this case, not so much what was or was not done, but why it is was or was not done. I think most people would agree that there seems to be a higher level of secrecy and misinformation in this case than we see in many others. IMO that is the reason why this case receives the attention it does, and sadly most of it negative attention, but almost a year later this thread still has daily activity. I would 100% agree with you that, at the current time, if more information was given to the public, it would not help the chances of finding HB (it may help CB or DS if they are actually cleared, but this isn't a priority for this LE it seems.) LE seems to have felt the same about sharing info a few minutes into this case, but that does not mean they were or are still correct in that thinking.
People in general are concerned and inquisitive by nature and that is why a stranger to the situation may follow this case. People forgive mistakes all the time, but the one thing people usually do not forgive is a cover-up (to knowingly conceal evidence or information after the fact.) Much of the work that LE does is a "cover-up" because they want to gain information without giving any away. The problem I see with the LE involved here is that they have actually showed they are covering up info, such as spokesmen and investigators giving conflicting information more than once, not giving status updates, trying to discourage people from searching on their own, saying HB never left west TN but not actively searching for her. My analogy here would be a starving person asking if you have any food, and you tell them you do not but they can see you have a granola bar in your pocket. Would you be surprised if this starving person reaches into your pocket? Then add this into the mix of CB already confusing accounts of that morning and what are people left to assume?
IMO this aspect has allowed tons of crazy to seep into this case and apparently into the investigation. It is usually the safer approach to give clear and concise information without going into much detail as oppose to giving many small details without giving a clear and concise overview.
I think it's safe to assume at this point that there is something in CB eyewitness account that LE did not want getting out, hence all the changing stories and comments made by LE and the Bobo's, examples could include KB comment that we do not know the whole story and also the sheriff quoted as saying that 911 was called at 7:29 and then in the most recent article, CB isn't even awake until 7:50. Also, ask yourself why did LE ask the community to look for people behaving suspiciously, but only tell them the person their looking for was wearing camo clothing when the abduction occurred. Why did LE state that by Easter the search would expand if no new leads turned up, then on Easter the "possibly significant find" happens and then LE shuts down public searches and then starts making cryptic comments like they were closing in on the abductor? At this point in time, it does beg the question as to why the information that was released is out there to begin with and why did LE make the statements like they had solid information to work from and almost a year later have nothing to show for it except searching the home of some wierdo in Ohio to see what is on his computer and the mention a few SO from the area who were supposedly checked out, one who was stalking young women and was found on a traffic stop (said to have no connection), one could not be located (found in MN and is not close to CB description of camo man) and the other has a history of violent crimes, was apprehended for filing false info as a SO and has been indicted on charges from 2008 (no official statement as to his possible connection to HB.) What gives?