Could any DU cop please private message me?

[Generic Other]

I just found an alarming message while surfing the web. Concerns the Providence, RI area. It seems like this is something someone with a badge should read. Sorry to sound cryptic, but better an alarmist than ignore something potentially serious. Maybe it's nothing but big talk, but I am a worry wart. I will private message a link if you contact me.

Again, I apologize for being so mysterious.

And while we are on the subject, what is a citizen to do when they stumble on a message online that threatens specific acts of violence in specific areas? Alert local authorities? Assume it is just someone blowing off steam? Take a chill pill and hide one's head under a pillow? It's not like I am involved other than inadvertently reading a message on a computer help board that included specific details including name and address. I doubt the admins of the site will read it for days.

I feel foolish calling police halfway across the country if I am overreacting. Any thoughts? And don't remind me of Condi Rice and the pre-9/11 memo that got ignored! I am upset enough.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

1. If I were you,

I'd invest in a long-distance phone call to the police in that jurisdiction and tell them what you found.

Do it. Now.

[uppityperson]

3. I called local police on an internet thing once, they sent me to FBI (gave me # to call) since they

do cyber crime. Start with local police or the ones where it concerns, is a good thing to do.

[Generic Other]

5. Providence Rhode Island Police Department

are they even awake over there? ok will just call. think i found a number. hope they don't laugh at me.

[Renew Deal]

17. They're awake. It's not that late.

Post the link and/or the text and/or a screenshot.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Is this that craigslist message?

Someone here posted about that a few weeks ago. I wondered what had happened with that.

[merh]

4. Here is the telephone number to the Providence Rhode Island Police

[phone]

Better safe than sorry - you'll feel better.


FBI

Providence: 10 Dorrance Street, Suite 900, Providence, RI 02903;
telephone numbers [phone]-13, 272-8335 (fax).

[Generic Other]

6. calling now

thanks

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. Let us know what they say.

[Generic Other]

11. They are responding

A teacher sigh of relief on my part!

[merh]

8. I edited to add the FBI's number just in case

It's the cops/FBI's job to check on things like this.

thanks for caring :hug:

[Tangerine LaBamba]

9. Please

Tell what happened.

And I think you are doing a very correct thing. . . .

[Generic Other]

10. I called and they are on it

Gonna let the folks who know what they are doing deal with it. Phew!

[Orrex]

12. The most important thing for you to do right now...

Is PM me! I'm totally dying to find out what's going on!!!!

:popcorn:

(I won't tell a soul--honest!)

[Renew Deal]

19. Me too

I will only tell Orrex. :D

[Orrex]

24. And I won't even tell myself, so it's all good.

[malaise]

20. Perfect

Aren't we all. :rofl:

[Tangerine LaBamba]

13. Well done!

Aren't you glad you did it?

Here's to you, GO:

:toast:

[Generic Other]

15. Yes I am glad I called even though I expected them to think i was a loonie

They have thick accents over there! I needed subtitles. :)

[Tangerine LaBamba]

27. I love Rhode Island .........

Big Italian population, big Portuguese population, GREAT FOOD EVERYWHERE, some lovely beaches, and really nice people.

Here's a picture from Watch Hill, RI, one of my favorite places in this world:



But, if you're not a New Englander, talking requires subtitles. I know.

No, they would NEVER treat you as if you were a joke - not with what you were reporting. They take that stuff seriously.

Again, good for you.......................

[annabanana]

14. You did the right thing.

You may never find out the results of your call, but at least you know that people who can DO something have been notified.

[Generic Other]

18. The best thing is nothing happens!

Yikes. Now I have to go back and figure out my original computer issue that was so dang important before I was so shockingly interrupted!

[Renew Deal]

16. Call the Secret Service no matter what.

They handle online threats. You should probably also call the FBI.

[Generic Other]

21. The local police in that city seem like they know how to proceed

I want no more to do with it tonight, thanks. At least I will be able to sleep now without having bad dreams.

[Parker CA]

22. Definitely. I've reported a couple threats I saw online and the SS was always very interested. n.t

[Parker CA]

23. So, what was the threat? n/t.

[Parker CA]

25. I just called SS in DC bc RI didn't answer. They were VERY interested in all the details. Better

to be safe than sorry.

[Generic Other]

26. Thanks Parker

Nice to have people on DU help me get some intestinal fortitude. I felt kind of dumb calling in a report thousands of miles away! I can see why citizens sometimes fail to get involved out of fear of looking like a nutjob.

[merh]

28. Thank you again, that you and Parker both.

:thumbsup:

[Parker CA]

29. That post was specific enough to warrant some serious concern. The DC office transferred me through

two separate agents and spent ten mins on the phone with me. If it saves something horrible from happening, it's worth our ten mins, if nothing happens, it's still worth our ten mins. The crazies are out in full force right now and shouldn't be taken lightly.

Thanks for sending the link, Generic.

[Renew Deal]

33. I would have thought it was BS, but the person that posted that has also posted violent videos

in line with the Columbine bunch.

[Parker CA]

36. I don't know enough about youtube to be able to find that out, but the post in itself was enough to

cause a bit of suspicion, enough so that the proper people should look into it. Let's all hope it's only some wacko mouthing off.

[Renew Deal]

37. Here's their video page

http://www.youtube.com/user/pornlesbogirl

[Parker CA]

30. Link :

http://help.youtube.com/group/youtube-feedback/browse_thread/thread/73b1bcc580d5d0c7?hl=en-US#

[merh]

31. thank you for following through with this

that is one scarey threat -

[Parker CA]

32. sure is. linking here was the only way the ss agent i was talking to could get to it. hopefully it

is only a hoax.

[merh]

35. hopefully it was just a hoax

and thank you SS Agent for following through on this.

[uppityperson]

34. what the hell? thanks for reporting that.

[Dorian Gray]

38. Holy Cow

That's freaky! You did the right thing in contacting the police. No doubt. Good for you for your vigilance and care about the lives of people in a city far away from you!