Our last field trip this semester was definitely one to remember. I just got home from the trip not too long ago, and my first thought was to blog about it, so here it is.
You can say I'm naive, but I did not expect to see what I saw today. I called my mom and my sister after leaving the medical examiner's office, and they both said, "What did you expect? You knew you were visiting a morgue." I guess I'm just used to the other trips we've taken this semester; nothing more visual than a slide show.
I got to the medical examiner's office at 2 p.m. I thought to myself as I was driving into the parking lot, "I never knew there was a morgue this close to campus." I walked into the lobby and signed in. Then we gathered into a meeting room with an overhead projector, where Vernard Adams, MD. spoke to us about gathering public records in a medical examiner's office. It was pretty standard information. No photos are allowed to be taken in the facility to respect the privacy of the grieving families. We were split up into two groups for the tour of the facility.
We saw the different rooms in the administration building, then our tour guide, Manger of Operations Dick Bailey, took us outside and over to the morgue next door.
I knew we were going to see the exam rooms where autopsies take place, but I believed we would not see any dead bodies. I mean, the staff wouldn't make a bunch of journalism students witness something so gruesome, right?
We initially went into the room where bodies are stored. It was a cold 56 degrees in the room, which is warmer than the usual 37 degrees. They had it set at 56 degrees to conserve energy. We were all starting to shiver so we stepped out and walked into the autopsy room. I didn't see any bodies, but I noticed some blood on a table next to me. This is when I started to get nervous. Then, I saw one of my classmates point in horror at something over to the right. Sure enough, I looked over and saw a dead body, sliced open with all of the insides exposed. I had a mixture of feelings. I didn't know if I wanted to cry or vomit.
It did not even look real. I've seen dead bodies and gore in movies, but never in person. Almost like a train wreck, you don't want to see it, but you can't look away. So I couldn't help but inspect the body, and sure enough, it was a real dead body lying there.
We quickly went into the X-ray room. I felt safe. Then, an examiner opened the door with a skull in his hands. The coincidence made the situation slightly humorous, but I was honestly in shock. I can still visualize the body lying there in my mind.
The rest of the trip was honestly a blur to me. I had a moment of PTSD after seeing my first dead body. I wish we were warned we may see a dead body, but at the same time, I think not knowing is what added to the shock factor. It made the experience one to remember.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Steve Andrews
The trip downtown to WFLA was eye-opening and it was one of my favorites so far. It was a close second to the Orient Rd. jail visit. I am always intrigued whenever I am in the presence of a well-known public figure. In this case, seeing WFLA investigative reporter Steve Andrews live in the flesh was a special experience for me. It is almost like seeing a celebrity on a smaller scale.
My initial thought when I meet a well-known, experienced reporter is, "Wow, I wonder if I will ever be at that level in my career."
There is a feeling of discouragement as I prepare to graduate this December. I have heard from multiple professors that the industry is rough. They gently prepare us for the many rejections we are likely to receive on the job hunt after college.
At the same time, I believe there is truth to the idea that it really is about who you know. Networking is so important. Collecting business cards or remembering encounters with media professionals is a great way to get your foot in the door.
At first, I recognized the name, but not the face when we walked into the conference/ theater room at WFLA. When Andrews showed us some clips of his investigative TV stories, I recognized him right away. His broadcast stories have earned him six Emmys.
He introduced with the story about State Attorney Harry Lee Coe. Andrews did a broadcast a story that Coe had borrowed $12,000 from a few employees. There were questions as to how he was spending this money. The day after the story unfolded, Andrews found him dead. Apparently, he had shot himself. In the midst of an emotional time, Andrews received over a thousand emails in response to Coe's suicide so soon after the story broke. Some emails were threatening, but Andrews took the time to respond to every email personally, explaining his take on the story. Andrews said 95% of the people who wrote the nasty emails ended up apologizing later. I respect Andrews for staying strong and holding his ground.
My favorite story was about the Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance (TBWA) and their extreme spending on food. The company spent over $100,000 on food for employees in one year, including $9 cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory. I loved how Andrews made the story lighthearted and interesting. This story was definitely worthy of its award.
I loved hearing Andrews' interviewing tips. He said to come prepared with at least three questions you want answers to. That way, if one question leads into something else and you go off on a tangent, you can always come back and remember what questions you wanted answered.
I always try to absorb as much information from media professionals as I can. There is no better way to learn than to experience it in the field.
My initial thought when I meet a well-known, experienced reporter is, "Wow, I wonder if I will ever be at that level in my career."
There is a feeling of discouragement as I prepare to graduate this December. I have heard from multiple professors that the industry is rough. They gently prepare us for the many rejections we are likely to receive on the job hunt after college.
At the same time, I believe there is truth to the idea that it really is about who you know. Networking is so important. Collecting business cards or remembering encounters with media professionals is a great way to get your foot in the door.
At first, I recognized the name, but not the face when we walked into the conference/ theater room at WFLA. When Andrews showed us some clips of his investigative TV stories, I recognized him right away. His broadcast stories have earned him six Emmys.
He introduced with the story about State Attorney Harry Lee Coe. Andrews did a broadcast a story that Coe had borrowed $12,000 from a few employees. There were questions as to how he was spending this money. The day after the story unfolded, Andrews found him dead. Apparently, he had shot himself. In the midst of an emotional time, Andrews received over a thousand emails in response to Coe's suicide so soon after the story broke. Some emails were threatening, but Andrews took the time to respond to every email personally, explaining his take on the story. Andrews said 95% of the people who wrote the nasty emails ended up apologizing later. I respect Andrews for staying strong and holding his ground.
My favorite story was about the Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance (TBWA) and their extreme spending on food. The company spent over $100,000 on food for employees in one year, including $9 cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory. I loved how Andrews made the story lighthearted and interesting. This story was definitely worthy of its award.
I loved hearing Andrews' interviewing tips. He said to come prepared with at least three questions you want answers to. That way, if one question leads into something else and you go off on a tangent, you can always come back and remember what questions you wanted answered.
I always try to absorb as much information from media professionals as I can. There is no better way to learn than to experience it in the field.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Preston Trigg visit
The Florida statutes states public records to be "All documents, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, recordings, software.. regardless of physical form.. made or received pursuant to law or in connection with transaction of official business."
Director of administration and special projects, Preston Trigg, is a Hillsborough County tax collector. Tax collectors are often referred to as "constitutional officers," along with sheriff, clerk of court, property appraiser, and elections supervisor. I've always heard negative comments about tax collectors, but meeting Trigg helped me understand that they are people just like the rest of us.
Hillsborough county tax collectors collect and distribute $2 billion worth of property taxes and special assessments a year. They are elected every four years in presidential election years. Also, 98% of customers rate their services good or excellent.
Property taxes are very important public records for reporters because we can find out how rich a person is, how many properties they own, etc. Trigg showed us the website www.hillstax.org, which allows people to access such public records.
I thought it was interesting to learn that everything in Florida starts out as public record. There are exemptions for school records, cases under investigation, private emails, most juvenile records, and recent autopsy photographs.
I also found it interesting that Florida is one of the only places in the world where it is your constitutional right to look at government records. Like Trigg said, "It's a beautiful thing."
Director of administration and special projects, Preston Trigg, is a Hillsborough County tax collector. Tax collectors are often referred to as "constitutional officers," along with sheriff, clerk of court, property appraiser, and elections supervisor. I've always heard negative comments about tax collectors, but meeting Trigg helped me understand that they are people just like the rest of us.
Hillsborough county tax collectors collect and distribute $2 billion worth of property taxes and special assessments a year. They are elected every four years in presidential election years. Also, 98% of customers rate their services good or excellent.
Property taxes are very important public records for reporters because we can find out how rich a person is, how many properties they own, etc. Trigg showed us the website www.hillstax.org, which allows people to access such public records.
I thought it was interesting to learn that everything in Florida starts out as public record. There are exemptions for school records, cases under investigation, private emails, most juvenile records, and recent autopsy photographs.
I also found it interesting that Florida is one of the only places in the world where it is your constitutional right to look at government records. Like Trigg said, "It's a beautiful thing."
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Orient Rd. Jail Visit
Halfway from my car to the jail reception area, I wondered if I should bring my purse inside or leave it in my car. Once I walked inside, sure enough, I had to turn around and leave my valuables in the car. The jail was a structured place. They didn't fool around. We had to sign in and get a tour badge before going in to the facility. I found it surprising that none of us had to walk through a metal detector, considering the jail's high security rules.
I learned that only one door can be opened at a time so no one can escape. Although, the officer informed us that escapes have occurred in the past.
"The inmates have 24 hours a day to figure out ways to escape." I found this statement to be very powerful. It makes so much sense when you stop to think about it.
It never occurred to me that we may be in close quarters with the inmates. Right after the tour began, we saw a line of orange jumpsuits walking down the hallway in front of us. They kept to themselves, but they stared at us like a pack of wolves stares down their prey. I felt a little apprehensive from that point on.
We went into the jail's control room where all the cameras were. All the video is public record. The officer said the booking area is the monitor to watch the closest because that is where most fights break out.
We then visited a pod where an officer had the inmates on lockdown so we could enter. I could see the inmates staring out of the small windows on their cell doors, watching our every move. The officer was in a hurry to get us in and out of the pod because he said the inmates don't like to be on lockdown any longer than they need to be.
The reason the jail is perceived as "clean" and humane in comparison to what we see on TV is because in jail, most inmates are innocent, whereas in prison, the inmates have been found guilty. Prison is for inmates serving sentences over a year. I am happy we did not visit a prison.
Because I am minoring in behavioral health, I was intrigued to learn how many inmates have mental disorders. It was disturbing to learn than inmates have poked out their eyes, cut off their testicles, and committed suicide while awaiting trial.
When we entered the booking area, two inmates had to be put in holding cells because they spoke words to us. One officer said, "This isn't a playground." I knew she meant business and I knew this was a place I never wanted to end up.
We learned that information is not public record while under investigation because it is evidence until the case is closed.
It was a powerful trip. I felt apprehensiveness among all my classmates. We took away more than just information about public records. I believe everyone took away a new appreciation for the system.
I learned that only one door can be opened at a time so no one can escape. Although, the officer informed us that escapes have occurred in the past.
"The inmates have 24 hours a day to figure out ways to escape." I found this statement to be very powerful. It makes so much sense when you stop to think about it.
It never occurred to me that we may be in close quarters with the inmates. Right after the tour began, we saw a line of orange jumpsuits walking down the hallway in front of us. They kept to themselves, but they stared at us like a pack of wolves stares down their prey. I felt a little apprehensive from that point on.
We went into the jail's control room where all the cameras were. All the video is public record. The officer said the booking area is the monitor to watch the closest because that is where most fights break out.
We then visited a pod where an officer had the inmates on lockdown so we could enter. I could see the inmates staring out of the small windows on their cell doors, watching our every move. The officer was in a hurry to get us in and out of the pod because he said the inmates don't like to be on lockdown any longer than they need to be.
The reason the jail is perceived as "clean" and humane in comparison to what we see on TV is because in jail, most inmates are innocent, whereas in prison, the inmates have been found guilty. Prison is for inmates serving sentences over a year. I am happy we did not visit a prison.
Because I am minoring in behavioral health, I was intrigued to learn how many inmates have mental disorders. It was disturbing to learn than inmates have poked out their eyes, cut off their testicles, and committed suicide while awaiting trial.
When we entered the booking area, two inmates had to be put in holding cells because they spoke words to us. One officer said, "This isn't a playground." I knew she meant business and I knew this was a place I never wanted to end up.
We learned that information is not public record while under investigation because it is evidence until the case is closed.
It was a powerful trip. I felt apprehensiveness among all my classmates. We took away more than just information about public records. I believe everyone took away a new appreciation for the system.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Visit to Sheriff's Office
The visit to the Sheriff's Office in Ybor was insightful. I had trouble finding the building initially until I saw the other students from class standing outside. The main building was bigger than I imagined it would be. We gathered in a board room in the annex to the main building where J.D. Callaway and Cristal Bermudez met us. They had information such as Standard Operating Procedures, criminal report affidavits, online inquiries, arrest warrants and other records to review with us.
The standard operating procedure for news releases and media cooperation is to assist Sheriff's personnel with such documentation. It explains when information may be released and when there are special considerations that exempt release of information. Exemptions include interviewing people in custody and suicide notes.
It was interesting to see the online arrest inquiries. The 17-year-old was charged as an adult because he was charged with solicitation to commit murder, which is a felony. If a juvenile is charged with one felony or three or more misdemeanors, he or she is charged as an adult. Once charged as an adult, the juvenile's information will be public record. Callaway said that public records are available fairly quickly online. They are available within an hour after the booking process.
People can request dash cam videos as public records for DUI cases, as DUI units are the only ones with dash cams.
I found it interesting that public records relating to criminal behavior are only located at the sheriff's office, jails, and court houses. The public records we went over were very detailed. It was insightful to see how an officer fills out reports.
Bermudez said that particular sheriff's office in Ybor is the first in the area to be more cutting-edge by using social networking such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. It's a fast way for reporters to be informed about arrests, etc. so they may obtain the public records quickly. On YouTube, they post entire videos of news conferences, unlike broadcast news, where only bits and pieces of the news conferences are broadcast.
We then toured the main building and saw where public records can be obtained. Also, we toured the room where 911 calls are received. The 911 operators seemed to know how to keep calm when calls came in.
The standard operating procedure for news releases and media cooperation is to assist Sheriff's personnel with such documentation. It explains when information may be released and when there are special considerations that exempt release of information. Exemptions include interviewing people in custody and suicide notes.
It was interesting to see the online arrest inquiries. The 17-year-old was charged as an adult because he was charged with solicitation to commit murder, which is a felony. If a juvenile is charged with one felony or three or more misdemeanors, he or she is charged as an adult. Once charged as an adult, the juvenile's information will be public record. Callaway said that public records are available fairly quickly online. They are available within an hour after the booking process.
People can request dash cam videos as public records for DUI cases, as DUI units are the only ones with dash cams.
I found it interesting that public records relating to criminal behavior are only located at the sheriff's office, jails, and court houses. The public records we went over were very detailed. It was insightful to see how an officer fills out reports.
Bermudez said that particular sheriff's office in Ybor is the first in the area to be more cutting-edge by using social networking such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. It's a fast way for reporters to be informed about arrests, etc. so they may obtain the public records quickly. On YouTube, they post entire videos of news conferences, unlike broadcast news, where only bits and pieces of the news conferences are broadcast.
We then toured the main building and saw where public records can be obtained. Also, we toured the room where 911 calls are received. The 911 operators seemed to know how to keep calm when calls came in.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Matt Doig visit
Database specialist, Matt Doig, explained that databases give answers to issues. Databases expose public records such as teacher salaries and results of their test scores for the Basic Skills Test that teachers must take in order to prove they are intelligent enough to teach. Social security numbers must are needed to match teachers with their information. Some teachers disagree with their personal information being exposed through databases, but it is important, especially for parents, to be able to access such information to see who is teaching their children.
The Sarasota Herald Tribune that Doig works for gathers database information from all 67 counties in Florida. I found it interesting to learn that Florida is the number one state for housing fraud in the US. This was found in connection to flipping houses in the state. Doig says, "Learning how to use databases gets you more money, more power, and more information." Databases are important sources for public records. They are also relatively easy to obtain.
I found it useful when Doig said he finds a common ground with someone to keep them on the phone and get the information he needs from them.
Also, by starting an interview with "Help me understand.." and ending with "What haven't I asked that I should've asked?", you will get more out of the interview.
The Sarasota Herald Tribune that Doig works for gathers database information from all 67 counties in Florida. I found it interesting to learn that Florida is the number one state for housing fraud in the US. This was found in connection to flipping houses in the state. Doig says, "Learning how to use databases gets you more money, more power, and more information." Databases are important sources for public records. They are also relatively easy to obtain.
I found it useful when Doig said he finds a common ground with someone to keep them on the phone and get the information he needs from them.
Also, by starting an interview with "Help me understand.." and ending with "What haven't I asked that I should've asked?", you will get more out of the interview.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Tim Nickens visit
Almost anything you say over the phone or on the internet is public record. I never knew how easy it was to actually obtain those records until Tim Nickens explained it in his visit. He discussed the Sunshine Laws and how they make it easy for reporters and other officials to obtain public records. Nickens explained that it is easier to request public records in Florida than in most other states. Public records are extremely valuable sources of information, so it must be difficult reporting in other states where it is not so easy to obtain public records.
I found it fascinating that anyone can find out if another person has voted or not through public records. Although they cannot see who the person voted for, it can be beneficial to see that they actually voted.
Nickens discussed how the public can see the cost, square footage, etc. of a person's home through public records. I feel this is too invasive, but these are areas that are not exempt from public record.
When I took Advanced Reporting last year, we looked up public records such as these. It is amazing how much you can learn through public records. I have been writing for years now and never realized the pure value of public records. It gets to the facts and the raw evidence.
Online sex predators are caught in internet stings with the help of public records. The accused person's computer is searched and the evidence is clear through public records.
Nickens brought the importance of public records to light.
I found it fascinating that anyone can find out if another person has voted or not through public records. Although they cannot see who the person voted for, it can be beneficial to see that they actually voted.
Nickens discussed how the public can see the cost, square footage, etc. of a person's home through public records. I feel this is too invasive, but these are areas that are not exempt from public record.
When I took Advanced Reporting last year, we looked up public records such as these. It is amazing how much you can learn through public records. I have been writing for years now and never realized the pure value of public records. It gets to the facts and the raw evidence.
Online sex predators are caught in internet stings with the help of public records. The accused person's computer is searched and the evidence is clear through public records.
Nickens brought the importance of public records to light.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)