To the Editor,
Re: Suspicious teen goes door to door, offers babysitting services, Online, Oct. 31.
I am perturbed by the nature of this report.
The police spokesman stated the teen’s activities were not criminal, yet, the headline is sensational and incites fear.
The word ‘suspicious’ unnecessarily invokes reactionary emotions. Knowing some of the reactions of mothers in the area to this person’s activities – as expressed by those mothers through an online forum – such an article is likely to be glossed over, with the lack of comprehension of the details resulting in irrational panic and unwarranted judgement of neighborhood safety, as well as this person’s true ‘threat’ to public safety.
As a news outlet, you have incredible power in shaping perception and reaction to ‘news’ in the area.
Please be more aware of the disconnects between the headlines and story content. Perhaps a better headline would be ‘Information requested on teen canvassing babysitting services.’
Warrick Baijius
Nanaimo
