The Story of Us

Often, the worst characters possess the best information

A A A Comments By Jeremy Voas Thursday, Feb 1 2001

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Carey believes the arsonist's posture as a social dissenter makes him a worthy subject. Journalists should grasp and communicate the underlying message, no matter how repugnant the methodology.

"The fact that it takes arson to get the attention of the elites of the community -- the city fathers and the developers -- so ideas can be expressed says something desperate about the state of local politics," Carey says. ". . . the channels of information and discussion and debate are so closed off now."

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It's the press's job to keep those channels open -- by listening to all comers.

Colón says the arson story pits competing interests against one another -- the public's need to know who is lighting the fires versus law enforcement's need to stop the arsons.

"There's an interest in providing as much information and understanding as you possibly can about what's happening and why it's happening," Colón says. "So, in this instance, there is an obvious opportunity to possibly shed more light on who might be responsible for these arsons and why they're taking place. It is not uncommon or unusual for the news media to arrange to meet with people who are involved in activities that are not only frowned upon by society but are illegal as well -- if they feel that the information gathered could provide valuable insight into what is taking place. I think that this obviously presented itself as that kind of opportunity."

Colón would have preferred to see New Timespresent more evidence that the man claiming to be the arsonist was authentic. By sharing certain details with investigators before the story was published, Hibberd was able to determine that the source was genuine. These investigators are convinced that Hibberd's subject has intimate knowledge of the arsons.

In fact, sources close to the case told us that investigators were on the verge of releasing details they had been withholding because their investigation had stalled.

Barr believes that because of the New Timespiece, "It's unquestionably true that the public and the authorities know more about this person now than they did before."

New Timesdid, in fact, provide valuable details about the arsonist to the authorities. But, like everybody else, the investigators got to read them in Hibberd's story.

For complete New Times coverage of the Preserves Arsonist, click over to the Arsonist Archives

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