PT on griddle over 'death threats' post?

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PT received phone calls yesterday from both the Courier and the Ledger in response to a statement sent to them from the office of Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs in reference to last Friday's post, "HITS: Death threats on Mayor?..." (PT has not seen the statement. Nor were there stories in either of today's papers.)

It was explained to both reporters that PT's Friday posts are a roundup of items 'heard in the street,' -- in plain words GOSSIP.

PT is not in the public safety business, but it is in the business of passing along interesting and provocative tidbits. Does PT know if there was a credible death threat? No.

Would PT have informed the police if one were to come to light? Of course.

The outline of what PT put forward is quite simple:

• There are rumors of threats.
• Credible death threats against public officials must be treated seriously.
• The Mayor should be absolutely safe from harm.
• The public should know that steps are being taken.

But PT made another, equally important point: The public is anxiously awaiting assurances from the Mayor that the wave of murders and shootings are being addressed and that steps are being taken to ensure the public's safety.

As I said to both reporters yesterday, the Library has yet to receive a phone call from City Hall in response to the daytime shooting on its steps asking whether there were concerns to discuss or offering any special assistance. It is this kind of response -- lack of it, rather -- which leaves the Mayor and her administration in a bad light.

Are they uncaring of the public's perception of its safety? Who knows if nothing is ever said?

PT spoke with Police Chief Ed Santiago at length about the matter of the death threat gossip last evening. The Chief assured PT that the division has very good -- even excellent -- intelligence about threats against public officials and that he can categorically say there are no credible death threats against the Mayor to his knowledge.

The Chief does a very good job in difficult circumstances. He is a dedicated professional. His word settles it for PT.

PT would like to think it is doing its job well, too: Turning stuff over with a pointy stick.

Now, what about some reassurances from the Mayor that she cares about the public's safety and what she plans to do about the wave of murders and shootings?

-- Dan Damon

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