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We at the police department are aware of the
criticism over the past two press releases.
Unfortunately police must respond and deal with
these family tragedies like this all too often.
We only put out press releases when we believe it
will assist an investigation; serve as a public
service message and when the media and/or the
community demands the information. We must comply
with a "public records act request". Police work is
not secret and we must be transparent.
In these instances, we responded to the community
demand for information on the suicide. It was very
visible to those walking the Strand and the media
also inquired.
The Media outlets demanded the information on the
child abuse due to the celebrity connection.
Each release is crafted to comply with the law and
to protect the privacy of those involved.
Hermosa Beach Chief of Police, Greg Savelli
HBNW works in partnership with the HB Police and
Fire Department. Regarding the last two press
releases, we forward ALL PRESS RELEASES to our HBNW
members. HBNW does not pick and choose based on who
we might offend. We have been forwarding PRESS
RELEASES for four years to our members. In this
last e-mail regarding the arrest, I did not forward
the booking photo and felt I was showing
consideration for her privacy. Regarding the beach
suicide, this lovely man was a neighbor of mine and
I am deeply saddened to hear that he took his own
life by a violent act. I have nothing but empathy
for him and I know that I cannot take away the pain
his family is dealing with at this time and my
family is terrible sorry for their loss. My
neighbor chose to take his life on our beach in a
very public way. As the Chief mentions, many Strand
walkers and patrons of Martha's 22nd Street Grill
saw the police, lifeguard and coroner vehicles. We
waited to inform our members (even though I knew
what had happened at 7a.m.) until we received the
official press release later that day. We did not
mention his name in the press release.
Co-founder and Co-Coordinator of HBNW, Kelly Kovac-Reedy |
