Threats and such

[KarenC725]

Police Agencies Warned of Possible Hijacked Truck
Reported by John Klekamp WZYZ Channel 7 Detroit
Web produced by Christiana Ciolac

All police agencies across U.S. are being notified about a possible hijacked semi that may be carrying almost 100 barrels of a dangerous chemical.

Action News has confirmed from police sources that a National Alert for Police Officer Safety has been issued to police agencies across the country. They are being told to be on the lookout for a white 2002 Kenworth semi truck.

The alert warrants that the truck may be carrying 96 barrels of sodium cyanide. Sodium cyanide is a very dangerous chemical. It can be fatal if swallowed, inhaled or touched.

The truck may have been hijacked on May 10th from Mexico near the US border. Its exact whereabouts are not known, but they fear it is somewhere in the U.S. They do not know where it is headed.

They are not yet forwarding the alert to the public.

Sodium cyanide is colorless, almond-like odor, dissolves in water and is nonflammable.

Ok folks, here is my thing, if they aren't yet forwarding the alter to the public, what the hell is the TV station doing with it?



This and the whole July 4 possible nuclear threat. What is your opinion, should we (the public) be informed every time, or is this getting out of hand and a scare tactic?

[SATX*APhi]

Originally posted by KarenC725

They are not yet forwarding the alert to the public.


Ok folks, here is my thing, if they aren't yet forwarding the alter to the public, what the hell is the TV station doing with it?

Umm, exactly what I was thinking!

I think we do have a right to know every time something happens; however, letting the public know each time something happens, whether major or minor, could cause numerous panic attacks and other health related problems amongst the people of the US. I can see why the government would want to not make minor things public, as to not have the public worrying. But when there is a vehicle carrying sodium cyanide hijacked, the American people could be "looking out" for this truck. I guess the government wants to find the truck on their own.

[theta sig agd]

We should not be told of "unconfirmed" hazards. I mean can u image if we were!

We should be intified if it is confirmed that the threat is real or credible.

My opinion. No sense in worrying the entire US over a prank!

[DeltAlum]

Sounds like it was a slow news night on 14 Mile Road.

[Kevin]

Deltalum, I'm positive the media would have reported on such a thing if it actually happened.

Did you get that off of a news wire or email?

[TrojanGirl]

That story IS on the KXYZ website.. I am wondering why just this one station carried it..

TG

[KarenC725]

It was actually on all the Detroit tv station websites but I didn't see it on any of the actual newscasts.

[DeltAlum]

I suspect that someone at WXYZ heard about this "alert" from a cop or someone who works for a police or other public service agency.

I also suspect (know, in fact) that there are a lot of these things that the public -- and the media never hear about.

Whether Channel 7 should have reported this is open to debate. On the face of it, it seems like a non-story. On the other hand, it's kind of like weather forcasting. When do you predict severe weather? When you suspect it -- or when you're absolutely SURE it will happen. Most outlets report it when there is ANY hint it may happen, because if they don't they have egg all over their face when the roof blows away.

I'll bet that some producer ran across this in some way, managed to get someone to confirm it -- and used it as a little story to fill some time.

Like I said, a slow news night in the Motor City.

In answer to your question, I heard about this on this thread. I worked in Detroit TV for several years back in the late 70's and early 80's.

[KarenC725]

In my opinion, one of the reasons for possibly posting it (besides it being slow around here) is that were are a border area too and the concept of "this could happen here" probably came into play. By the way, there are now mentions of it on the CNN website.