The story is a serious and critical one, and it is one that I felt compelled to blog about tonight.
The story highlights, in a very scary way, the no snitch culture that permeates throughout urban America and cities like Philadelphia.
And, sadly, what has been allegedly happening here in Philly takes this sad phenomenon to a scary new level.
"Philadelphia police and prosecutors are investigating an anonymous Instagram account with thousands of followers that for months has been identifying witnesses in violent crimes across the city - aiming, in its creator's words, to "expose rats."
The account, called rats215, has outed more than 30 witnesses since February, posting photos, police statements, and testimony on the photo-sharing website.
Because many of the statements posted aren't public records, authorities are investigating the page as a potential act of mass witness intimidation - in a city where police and prosecutors struggle daily to find witnesses willing to testify.
Rats215 had nearly 7,900 followers. To find who's behind it, authorities this week obtained several search warrants on the account.
The account, called rats215, has outed more than 30 witnesses since February, posting photos, police statements, and testimony on the photo-sharing website.
Because many of the statements posted aren't public records, authorities are investigating the page as a potential act of mass witness intimidation - in a city where police and prosecutors struggle daily to find witnesses willing to testify.
Rats215 had nearly 7,900 followers. To find who's behind it, authorities this week obtained several search warrants on the account.
In one instance, rats215 posted photos and evidence from a shooting victim whose case was handled in a secret grand jury.
In another, the account posted a photo that appeared to have been taken while a witness was testifying in court.
The account has been updated almost daily, and each new post draws dozens of comments and "likes" from readers, with some of the commmenters advocating violence against those who help police. The page has more than 150 photos.
"Post some new rats," one commenter wrote in September. "I needa put a hit out on them."
Said another, earlier this week, "This page is [. . .] perfect."
In one post, the account-holder praises Kaboni Savage - the North Philadelphia drug kingpin sentenced to death in June for 12 murders, including a fireboming that killed four children and two women. The bombing was retaliation for a witness' cooperation with the FBI.
In the same post, rats215 warns witnesses "we will get at you in time." [More]
This is madness, and it undermines the criminal justice system that we all depend on to maintain law and order in a society that is becoming increasingly lawless.
I say this as someone who frequently finds himself defending individuals who are charged with all sorts of crimes within the criminal justice system. I would never want to win a case because a key witness is intimidated from testifying.
I also understand that this is not a black and white issue. (No pun intended.)
The people who live in the neighborhoods where this type of behavior takes place can't always go to the police because they live in real fear of their loved ones and families being hurt if they do. When your home might be firebombed or your child might be kidnapped on the way to school, you tend to think about your duties as a citizen to report crimes and cooperate with the District Attorney's office just a little harder.
Still, at some point, this madness has to stop. Most of us living in our bubbles created by stable families, jobs, and a solid support system can only stay insulated from the mayhem for so long. One day, one way or the other, it will get us.
"It might sound crazy. I think that neighborhood's possessed. I do. With all them dead bodies, souls, flinging around down there. Then that cemetery" down the street. The odds of surviving in this neighborhood, she says, are "zero to none."
No mam, it does not sound "crazy" to me. Sadly, it sounds quite normal.
Pics from Philly.com and CityPaper.net.
In another, the account posted a photo that appeared to have been taken while a witness was testifying in court.
The account has been updated almost daily, and each new post draws dozens of comments and "likes" from readers, with some of the commmenters advocating violence against those who help police. The page has more than 150 photos.
"Post some new rats," one commenter wrote in September. "I needa put a hit out on them."
Said another, earlier this week, "This page is [. . .] perfect."
In one post, the account-holder praises Kaboni Savage - the North Philadelphia drug kingpin sentenced to death in June for 12 murders, including a fireboming that killed four children and two women. The bombing was retaliation for a witness' cooperation with the FBI.
In the same post, rats215 warns witnesses "we will get at you in time." [More]
This is madness, and it undermines the criminal justice system that we all depend on to maintain law and order in a society that is becoming increasingly lawless.
I say this as someone who frequently finds himself defending individuals who are charged with all sorts of crimes within the criminal justice system. I would never want to win a case because a key witness is intimidated from testifying.
The people who live in the neighborhoods where this type of behavior takes place can't always go to the police because they live in real fear of their loved ones and families being hurt if they do. When your home might be firebombed or your child might be kidnapped on the way to school, you tend to think about your duties as a citizen to report crimes and cooperate with the District Attorney's office just a little harder.
Still, at some point, this madness has to stop. Most of us living in our bubbles created by stable families, jobs, and a solid support system can only stay insulated from the mayhem for so long. One day, one way or the other, it will get us.
"It might sound crazy. I think that neighborhood's possessed. I do. With all them dead bodies, souls, flinging around down there. Then that cemetery" down the street. The odds of surviving in this neighborhood, she says, are "zero to none."
No mam, it does not sound "crazy" to me. Sadly, it sounds quite normal.
Pics from Philly.com and CityPaper.net.
