Leaked security alert #21: Fur farmers upset over being ignored by police
The 21st in a series of leaked Fur Commission “security alerts” Animal Liberation Frontline is posting this month.
| Background: Animal Liberation Frontline has obtained dozens of internal fur industry “security alerts.” These bulletins are sent to fur farmers via email and fax every time there is a “security” related issue affecting US fur farms. The subject matter can range from trespassers being chased from farms, to unpublicized details of ALF raids, to farmers sharing license plate numbers of “suspicious vehicles.”
These are intended to be read by fur farmers only, and were not intended to be read by the general public. I will be posting approximately 30 bulletins over the next month. Read a full background on this series here. |
A synopsis of this alert
Here, the Fur Commission sends out a note to fur farmers concerned about the lack of “follow-up” by police after reports of suspicious activity.
Like many of these, this alert displays fur farmers’ bizarre sense of entitlement to being personally coddled by police. For any person with perspective, being appraised of developments over a call about “suspicious cars” would be looked at as a bizarre and unreasonable request.
The alert contains this line to reassure fur farmers their reports are of value:
“If there was trespassing involved, law enforcement will generally contact the registered owner of a reported vehicle and inform them that they have been identified trespassing on private property.”
This is almost an explicit admission that, while illegal, based on the experience of the Fur Commission police don’t often treat trespassing as an arrestable offense. (This is not legal advice, but an observation on the subtext of this alert).
“Fur Commission USA
Security Information: Reporting suspicious activity
July 25, 2013
Various ranchers have inquired why there is rarely any follow-up information from law enforcement after suspicious vehicles or persons are reported near a farm. There are several factors to consider.
After a farmer reports activity on or near their property to law enforcement, depending on the officer investigating, the farmer may need to make repeated contact themselves for any follow-up information. In most cases, the farmer has every right to receive updates and police reports. We encourage farmers to keep an open dialog with their local law enforcement agencies and any investigating officers.
Fur Commission has been working closely with law enforcement for many years, and the information we pass along is given without expecting any inclusion in the case. For legal reasons, law enforcement will not always give Fur Commission information regarding an open investigation.
If the activity reported did not break any laws, it is still important to log the incident (with law enforcement and Fur Commission). Extremists will scout locations before attacking, and if we can identify them early (and they know they have been identified) they are unlikely to act. Our security alerts are designed not only to alert farmers, but to alert various law enforcement officials of the potential for an attack. If there was trespassing involved, law enforcement will generally contact the registered owner of a reported vehicle and inform them that they have been identified trespassing on private property. Depending on the situation, the perpetrators may or may not be cited.
It is important to remember that our level of alertness is recorded by the would-be attacker. If a scout is confronted or engaged, they know they will be the first person questioned in the event of a crime. They will also know that the farmer takes his security seriously. So keep up the good work!
Distributed by
Michael Whelan
Fur Commission USA”
Thank you ALF for all the updates and your excellent work you are doing. You people are amazing and I love you yet don’t even know you so to speak. Always,Cindy.