Jurisdictions around the country have been asking and in some cases begging for citizens to snitch on social distancing violators. These snitches have called out people walking their dogs together, congregating in the park, or business owners that are trying to stay afloat.
Some Americans have been frustrated about these snitches, especially the ones that are being rewarded with money. Like many states, Missouri has a “Sunshine Law” that makes government records available to the public. If you lived in St. Louis and used the city’s snitch site you should have read the small print:
“I have been advised that this form and any other communication may be considered an open record pursuant to the Sunshine Law, Chapter 610 RSMo. St. Louis County may be required to release this form as well as other communications as a matter of law upon request by any member of the public, including the media.”
That’s when one American took matters into his own hands.
Jared Totsch told I-Team 5 in St Louis that he posted the documents fulling knowing the possible consequences for the people named in them.
“If they are worried about retaliation, they should have read the fine print which stated their tips would be open public record subject to a Sunshine request, and should not have submitted tips in that manner to begin with,” wrote Totsch. “I released the info in an attempt to discourage such behavior in the future.”
Totsch declined a phone or video interview. When asked how he felt about the possibility that someone who reported a business might lose their job, Totsch wrote, “I’d call it poetic justice, instant Karma, a dose of their own medicine. What goes around, comes around. They are now experiencing the same pain that they themselves helped to inflict on those they filed complaints against.”
So just who are these people that snitching on their neighbors? Some of them are very, very, very, very, very, concerned. It appears they seem to feel that the coronavirus will kill everything it infects and are serious busybodies.
Here’s an example.
AMANDA ***** WANTS A PAWN SHOP CLOSED IN SOUTH COUNTY:
Hi, I live on Reavis….the pawn shop on Lemay ferry road next to the old Dairy queen(planet sub) is still open. Yesterday it was packed with people coming in and out non stop. There is no reason a pawn shop is essential…….in fact the amount of people and lack of sanitation is going to spread fast……..also the Harley Davison store has been having constant crowds during the day and evening now with the nice weather…….joan fabrics isn’t sanitizing According to employees……no one needs to be spreading the virus onto fabric constantly touching it…………what will it take for the Governor to shut the state down. I fear for all of us……….
One woman was even trying to get her fiancé fired.
Hello, My fiancé works at Frisco Hill Auto. They do restorations. I know the essential businesses say car repair and other related facilities. I was just wondering if a restoration shop, that doesn’t do collision or mechanical repair is essential? Also, two of their employees live in Illinois, which I thought was weird because I thought they were on a shelter in place order. I am just trying to gain clarification. We really want our families and the communities to be safe. Thank you, Erin
Those are just two examples from the publicly released and publicly published file of St. Louis County snitches. Just another friendly reminder folks always read those service agreements, you never know.
