How do I cover my ass?

April 1, 2009 12:57 PM

I have reliable second hand information regarding the in-transit theft and subsequent sale of weapons in the SF Bay Area, I would like to present this information anonymously, preferably to the press. How do I best do this so as to protect myself and the source of this info?

While this information is obviously about a crime neither myself or my sources are involved, and we do not wish to get involved with either side of the situation.

posted by anonymous to Law & Government (17 answers total)

Well, first, get the mods to delete this question.

Then recall that only what "the press' doesn't know, it can't tell, even under subpoena, even when jailed for contempt of court.

Then consider that no good deed goes unpunished, that whomever gets burnt in this will be looking to get blood or get even, and that if there's pressure to "solve" a case, sometimes the informant starts looking like the easiest person to convict.

Again, what no one knows, no one can tell.
posted by orthogonality at 1:04 PM on April 1, 2009 [1 favorite]

Buy a disposable phone at a convenience store with cash. Open the package wearing gloves, make a call, say what you need to say, and then throw the phone away.
posted by Argyle at 1:10 PM on April 1, 2009 [2 favorites]

Call your local crimestoppers number and leave an anonymous tip.
posted by onhazier at 1:10 PM on April 1, 2009 [1 favorite]

Don't contact the press. That won't do anyone any good and might well get you in trouble.

Contact law enforcement. You can leave an anonymous tip.
posted by valkyryn at 1:11 PM on April 1, 2009 [1 favorite]

Err, why the press, specifically? Isn't this usually the kind of thing the police might want to know??

But anyway, what Argyle said.
posted by R343L at 1:12 PM on April 1, 2009

Should have previewed ....
posted by R343L at 1:12 PM on April 1, 2009

You can hire a lawyer and have him or her notify your chosen party/parties. Privilege will protect your identity.
posted by hayvac at 1:13 PM on April 1, 2009 [1 favorite]

Call the cops. A lot of cities also have an anonymous tip line. But in any case, you can still just give an anonymous tip by calling the cops from a payphone.
posted by cmgonzalez at 1:14 PM on April 1, 2009

No one in the press is going to believe you or care unless your "reliable second hand information" is actually indisputable proof of a crime of the type that winds up on YouTube.

Seriously, if a crime has been committed, it's your duty as a citizen to contact the proper authorities. Maybe you should look up the number for the ATF in your area?
posted by wfrgms at 1:17 PM on April 1, 2009

I'd agree with the lawyer part.

Otherwise, why are you not telling the ATF directly? They might not be able to act on a tip without more info as to how you got the info.
posted by Ironmouth at 1:27 PM on April 1, 2009

Err, why the press, specifically? Isn't this usually the kind of thing the police might want to know??

Possible answer: it might already involve police officers? Or a local politician or other powerful individual(s)?
posted by K.P. at 2:13 PM on April 1, 2009 [1 favorite]

Call your local crimestoppers number and leave an anonymous tip.

If it's an 800/888/etc number, don't call it from a phone that could be associated with you. Since 800 number holders pay for incoming calls, they are given a list of the phone numbers whose calls they are being billed for, regardless of whether your outgoing caller ID would otherwise be available.
posted by TruncatedTiller at 2:18 PM on April 1, 2009

If you want the problem to actually get solved, contact the SF ATF branch. Be prepared to be on hold and transfered a lot. In most cases, the press really isn't the way to go. Press is supposed to report the news, not bust in there with trained agents and stop the gun running.
posted by spec80 at 2:34 PM on April 1, 2009

If you think it involves local law enforcement, contact:

ATF: San Francisco Field Division

FBI: San Francisco office

Cops first, press second.
posted by rtha at 2:38 PM on April 1, 2009

Perhaps of interest -- San Francisco Crime blog. The guy (gal?) who assembles the blog is pretty thorough and may have some ideas.
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 6:25 PM on April 1, 2009

If you call a reporter, be prepared to talk to someone who gets a million calls from cranks and loons and will have little time to ascertain whether you are just another one or not. You will have to offer a good reason for them to listen to you. (Don't worry about them not protecting your identity. This is second nature in a case like this. Your major stumbling block is going to be getting them to believe you aren't a whackmobile.)

You will need to figure out which one to call: if this is a straight criminal matter, Random Guy X is selling guns, call the police reporter. If it's more complicated, like K.P. suggested, and it's political or police figures, call a political reporter or whoever covers federal court. (You can call the main city desk number for the Chron and ask to be connected to whoever covers a specific beat.)

Stepping back a moment, you will also have to ask yourself: is this a news story? If it's police weapons being stolen and resold, yes, that's huge and call the paper's copshop. If it's Joe Shmoe from the corner ripping off a gun store, not so much. In the latter case, call the FBI or ATF.

You can memail me if you want some private guidance. I will keep your ID secret.
posted by CunningLinguist at 7:53 PM on April 1, 2009

The press is not the way to go if you want to remain anonymous. Whomever takes your call will want some sort of verification of your identity to make sure you're not crazy. As others have said, the press can't reveal your identity, but who knows if they'd even be interested in your story. LE or DAs don't want to bother with anonymous sources either. Call an anonymous crimestopper line in your area.
posted by vincele at 9:02 PM on April 1, 2009