Eastside Defender

We’ve had ideas to improve this website since we began back in 2007.

For example, it would be useful to incorporate stuff—like arrest info—that used to go out as part of the NECP Weekly Update. The format for posting Criminal Impact Statements could be improved. And beyond making the Eastside Defender more useful as a hub of information, it could look better.

I’ve learned how posting crime-related information on the internet has unexpected and far-reaching effects on people’s lives. Sometimes it helps. Other times it hurts.

So we have to do what we can to report facts accurately and separate those from speculations and opinions. There is room for opinion—this site is two years of evidence that I enjoy a good rant or a pointed snark.

The need for accuracy and a certain amount of sensitivity makes site improvements more challenging. We have volunteers willing to gather information. The hitch has been with me figuring out how to present that info.

Another hitch is technological. This site was one of the first I set up. The software has improved greatly, as has my ability to work with it. I want to upgrade, which would make it easier to tackle all the improvements we have in mind. But in my inexperience, I set stuff up in a way that makes upgrading extra difficult.

Outside of all that, I am pretty burned out. It wears on me to have unfinished work and to leave obligations unmet. This site was conceived as having more regular content updates than I have been able to make. I see things that I would like to post comments on, and alerts that are important to share. But more and more of those are slipping by.

I’ve had offers for help. But figuring out how to use help is itself a task that I have trouble finding time for.

Ultimately, this ramble is to let the audience know that we’re still at it, even if updates seem to come slowly and items are sometimes missed.

For 2010, I’m realigning my personal commitments and trying to catch up on things in my life and my business. After I work myself into a better position, I hope to get back to making the Eastside Defender more of what it could be.