… really, I do. But take the help, Yonkers Police Department. I just read an interesting article in the New York Times about the Yonkers Police Department’s reluctance to let a writer see the case files for the 1952 murder of labor leader John Acropolis.

I don’t want to downplay their concerns, but they can be addressed while still allowing the writer access.  I just know so many cases where a sincere and caring writer has helped an investigation.  I’m not just saying this because I’m a writer!  

For instance, for the past couple of years writer Weston DeWalt has been helping West Coast law enforcement on a bunch of cold cases involving children.  It has been a mutually satisfactory situation that has benefited all involved.  Satisfactory really doesn’t even begin to cover it.  I know that at a recent dig for one of the bodies of those poor children, the people there, law enforcement, family members, and DeWalt, were moved to tears.

If you have a writer who can work 24/7 on case it’s not surprising that sometimes they come up with something useful.  It’s not a comment on your work on the case, you don’t have the luxury of devoting all your energy to one case that’s more than a half a century old.  Check the person out.  If they are responsible, caring and hard working, take the help.

NOTE: I didn’t know Yonkers had a cold case squad and I’m adding them to my list right now!  If you know of a cold case unit that is not on my list (which is on the left, under “Information”) please let me know.