Council and City Manager Meet Regarding Linnik Case
Last week, reporting in the Tacoma News Tribune revealed that Tacoma Police Chief Don Ramsdell and Sgt. Mark Fulghum had never disclosed to the public the definitive reasons for the delayed Amber Alert in the Zina Linnik disappearance.
After that tragic 2007 murder, the official line was that the Alert was delayed so that police could confirm and gather more information. The City Manager was informed in 2009 that this explanation was incomplete. As it turns out, Fulghum, the only officer authorized to issue the Amber Alert, was asleep after working a long Independence Day shift. The City Manager’s office did not share this information, and maintains that no cover-up was in place or necessary, since the failure was systemic (more related to the limits of the Amber Alert authorization) rather than the result of breach of duty.
Yesterday, the Council met with City Manager Eric Anderson, in which some Council Members reportedly expressed frustration that they first heard this additional information in the news. While the Council stands with Anderson and the Police Department, the mayor added that it was made clear to all parties that communication must be better if the public trust is to be preserved.
We cannot say how the Council should respond to this situation, but we are not convinced that yesterday’s show of solidarity was adequate.
The full story with The News Tribune
Filed under: General
12 comments
D Daniel April 27, 2011
Since this information has understandably initiated action in the courts, it seems sensible to approach the situation with caution. But this caution should not obscure the truth. The work of any city official is to pursue the best interests of citizens – including execution of justice – and not to preserve the employment or dignity of other officials. This can only be done in an atmosphere of transparancy, and city codes and ordinances exist to enforce this.
The failure to communicate a key piece of information (over such a long period of time), whether or not it affected the outcome of the case, violates the intent of ethical codes and sends the public a destructive message. It also diminishes the effectiveness of every forthright and hardworking participant in that government.
T T-Town April 27, 2011
Your theory is bright and shiny and beautiful, Daniel. Unfortunately, with so much pension money at stake, corruption is weaved into the system. Anderson will do anything to protect his financial future. Who knows what dirt he holds on Strickland. The lie that lingered for so long is no solitary one! Maybe we need not increase salaries by unrealistic amounts to get ‘better people’. Maybe average salaries will bring good people to the table, people who care about Tacoma and don’t have everything to lose.
N Nick April 27, 2011
“if the public trust is to be preserved”
It sounds like Mayor Strickland doesn’t even yet realize they have already lost quite a bit of public trust. Preserving what little is left is all fine and good, but there isn’t even any thought as to how to regain the trust that has already been squandered?
T Twill April 28, 2011
This revelation of Ramsdell’s “omission” (and the Anderson/Strickland insulting, insensitive and arrogant response) puts into question every statement ever uttered and every report ever written by the TPD, especially since the City appears to be supporting the idea that there is absolutely nothing to get excited about, as if cover-ups are common practice and we should just move along. No can do. As messed-up as I knew Tacoma was, even I can’t get over this latest shocking disillusionment of what kind of city “leadership” is going on here.
Seriously, what do we do? Who do we contact to request an independent investigation due to this obviously stunningly deep-spread internal incompetence and corruption?
R RR Anderson April 28, 2011
Query: What would Tacoma detective Wyatt James do if his Amber Alert delay was covered up?
(author Mark Lindquist fan fiction)
L low bar April 28, 2011
its funny. in the exit133 article on pop art at greendale, i mean tacoma community college, the writer of said article thought to find at said campus gallery, works of a budding wannabe banksy. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA FUCK THAT. this thing with the tiny ghost showing up like a traveling garden gnome around the city is where its at. take note “Tacoma Arts in Review”. its not rocket science, tacoma arts in review, its just art. please take a limitless pill. thanks.
V Volcano Boycotting RR Anderson April 28, 2011
Dear Concerned Citizen/Consumer, if you spot any more of these ghosts shoot me an email andersor42 [at] gmail [dot] com I will send a photographer if you can’t transmit a photo.
A Altered-Chords April 30, 2011
I heard that the child rapist/ murderer had been previously convicted of child molestation. He raped his younger sister. What was this guy doing out of jail. It seems like the outrage over the amber alert guy is misdirected. Clearly he is not the only one asleep.
L low bar May 4, 2011
whats really sad is…people who would rather read a story about a fucking bike swap in which the “content is fine and the conclusion is good.”
C Chuck May 7, 2011
Why is that sad low bar? I use Exit133 as my primary news source for what’s going on in Tacoma and in fact, was interested by the aforementioned bike swap.
L low bar May 8, 2011
Key word is “rather”
L low bar May 10, 2011
watched it. loved it. fuck the 72hr film fumbler festival.