About Those Most Wanted...

 

Photo from The Onion

Over the years, we've received several communications from readers who believe they've spotted someone wanted in the Shoals. We've always advised them to contact the appropriate law enforcement office. A few months ago, we decided to publish wanted posters from local and national agencies in hopes that at least a few walkabout felons could be apprehended. 

Some readers informed us that one or two of these individuals were now deceased, but the oddest comment has come from a long-time reader who is often critical of our blog. She has asserted several times that we have omitted White felons, while posting Latinos almost exclusively. Have we?

Unless we knew a wanted individual was deceased or had been apprehended, we omitted no one. Are there more Latinos on the Most Wanted Lists? Yes in some cases; however, since we have nothing to do with composing these censuses, we can't comprehend how we are in anyway to blame.

Here's a rundown of the ethnic/racial makeup of the lists we published:

Colbert County: 

White - 3

Black - 6

Latin - 0

Franklin County:

White - 3

Black - 0

Latin - 2

Marion County:

White - 10

Black - 2

Latin - 0

Tishomingo County:

White - 0

Black - 0

Latin - 2

City of Russellville (only those with photos):

White - 8

Black - 0

Latin - 3

State of Alabama:

White - 3

Black - 0

Latin - 3

State of Mississippi:

White - 1

Black - 2

Latin - 0

State of Tennessee:

White - 2

Black - 3

Latin - 4

Asian - 1

FBI:

White - 2

Black - 1

Latin - 6

Indian - 1

US Marshals:

White - 5

Black - 6

Latin - 2

The State of Tennessee and the FBI both have an inordinate number of Latins considering the population makeup. Why? We can only speculate, but it's easier for a Latino to return to south of the border than it is for a citizen to disappear completely. Thus, Latins are not captured in large numbers and remain on the list.

*****

We've begun publishing posters of missing Alabama children, and those are numerous. Who knows...keep your eyes open and you might reunite a family.