Is the local news media up to reporting next steps for alleged Lansing serial killer?

As a resident of the city of Lansing (MI), I really want to breathe easier with the arrest of the alleged serial killer. 

In the past month, five women here have been murdered and a sixth survived a beating.  As people got more edgy about what was happening, local officials felt more pressure to take toss-up anti-crime measures.

But as the captured suspect moves through the criminal justice process, a big question seems to be about the media.

Will the local media live up to its historical role of being the eyes and ears of local residents to make sure that the spotlight of public attention is turned on all relevant questions?

With this suspect, there are so many questions on so many layers:

• What did the state parole board miss in releasing him from prison about a month before he allegedly committed his first homicide?
• As a juvenile offender charged with sex offenses was there anything missed that should have been a tipoff to his future actions?
• What evidence does police have that he committed each of the homicides?
• Would high-powered outdoor cameras as proposed by the mayor have prevented any of these crimes?

The questions are many and local officials will provide many, but it's the media who provide the extra set of eyes and who provide accountability.

We need a strong local news media as much as we need a strong police department.


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