They reported businesses for violating stay-at-home orders. Now they say they're facing threats

[Judi Lynn]

Source: CNN


CNN Expansion NYC 2017 PH: JOHN NOWAK Paul Murphy
By Paul P. Murphy, CNN

Updated 7:35 PM ET, Thu May 14, 2020

(CNN)Some Washington residents who reported stay-at-home order violations say they're now receiving threats after the contact information they provided for the complaints was posted online.

On March 30, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced a website for the public to report businesses violating his "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order. Residents can fill out a form with an alleged violation, which is forwarded to the appropriate agency.

Their complaints and contact info -- which is a public record under state law -- was posted to a Facebook page and blog. That's led to threats against them, according to Inslee's office.

"The governor strongly condemns harassment of any kind," Inslee's Deputy Director of Communications and press secretary Mike Faulk told CNN in a statement. "We find it extremely troubling that people who were trying to keep other Washingtonians healthy by reporting violators are subject to this. This threatening behavior is unacceptable and repugnant."

Read more: https://us.cnn.com/2020/05/14/us/stay-at-home-violations-coronavirus-washington-trnd/index.html

[lapfog_1]

1. Is it going to come to that?

we arm ourselves to protect us from these violent thugs who intimidate both legislators and now the general population? Pandemic war because these idiots refuse to listen to science in their slavish devotion to everything Trump?

How did a virus and our collective response to it become political?

[Jake Stern]

2. This is a big part of why I have a pen name,

a Google Voice number and an email address that is separate from my work and personal emails.

That way if I have to report someone, I can keep my details private.

[flibbitygiblets]

3. Complaints and contact info a public record. What an incredibly stupid law.

No way in hell I would have put my real name and contact info. People be cray.

[47of74]

4. My name would be Fuck Trump and my address would be 123 Go to Hell Lane

I'm not giving these idiots my name and address.

[DeminPennswoods]

5. I don't know if

encouraging Americans to spy on each other is ultimately a good thing. Even so, making the names of the people turning in violators public doesn't seem like a good idea. I'm not sure people should be able to report anonomously, but should be able to give their name/address and request anonimity. Otherwise, you risk getting reports from people who have an ax to grind.