Fitchburg, Wisconsin - The Jamestown Neighborhood Association of Fitchburg (bordering Madison) believes that it has seen the enemy in its midst: Drug dealers.
And in its Spring 2009 newsletter, the neighborhood association identifies a specific house number on a street named King James Way, writing that "There is suspicion of drug dealing at xxxx King James Way. ... If we don't let drug dealers know they're unwelcome, they'll come—uninvited," urging neighbors to call the police should they view suspicious activity and "this kind of behavior."
No doubt then, the newsletter is rigorous in supporting its accusation and compiles a compelling fact base before making this specific accusation in its widely distributed newsletter.
Wrong. The sole piece of evidence in support of its singling out the address in question reads: "Cars have been pulling up and stopping for a very short time period leading to this suspicion."
That's it, a "suspicion". It's reckless to engage in this kind of public accusation without a compelling fact base.
What if innocent people live at the identified address? It's best to leave these matters to the police, and not a less-than-careful neighborhood association that apparently lacks a driving commitment to gathering facts before making accusations.
If innocent people live at this address, they likely have been libeled.
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