Correspondence between Cookeville
Police Sgt.
'It has come to my
attention that my social securtiy number is now
posted on your Putnampit website. I am not sure just
how long this information has been posted, but that is irrelevant. I cannot
stress enough how important it is that you immeadiately
remove this information.
'I will be contacting city
hall on Monday to see just how you got this information and who gave it out.
'I will be checking back
this afternoon to see what, if any, changes have been made. '
Does this appear to be a threat from a police
officer? He's going to be checking back? Oh, gosh. I'd better remove the files
. . . except they had already been removed by agreement with the city manager.
This is almost as chilling as the other sergeant, David Dukes, who emailed me
that he was watching and I didn't pray at a council meeting.
Here’s the entire exchange:
Date: Sat,
Mr. Bilbrey, I have already removed the spreadsheet and
replaced it with one more to your liking. I was not going to ask you how to see the social security numbers. I
was going to talk to you about another matter.
You say you cannot stress
enough how important it is that the information be removed.
I would like to point out,
though, that although I was not accused of any crime and not under
investigation for anything, the Cookeville Police Department did a complete
background check on me, including every place I ever lived, the value of the
home, the value of the adjoining homes, the name of every one of my employers,
my social security number, passport number, names of my children, pictures of
me talking on the street with Mary Jo Denton, credit checks -- how much money I
owe, EVERYTHING that the police power can dig up. The police department called
the department of defense, the state department and checked driver's license
records in EVERY STATE to see whether I had a ticket or license there. When the
computer checks came back negative, the police department asked them to DO A
SEARCH BY HAND!
Then when someone asked
for public records in the Eldridge murder case, The entirety of that file was
released to a third party with ALL OF THE INFORMATION, including my social
security number, addresses, name of my girlfriend, photos, employers,
EVERYTHING.
But when I went to see the
file, Mr. O'Mara said it contained only five sheets of paper.
So, I sympathize with you
that your social security number was posted, Mr. Bilbrey.
And as a courtesy to you and Mr. Shipley, I have removed it.
Mr. Bilbrey,
I have an absolute right to publish that information. You are asking me to
censor myself. You are asking me to be considerate of your concerns. I will be.
Have a nice day.
www.putnampit.com
-------- Original Message
--------
Subject: Re: Contact the
editor
From: "
Date:
To: "Geoffrey
Davidian" <geoff@MilwaukeePress.Net>
I know what question you
have. "Just how am I seeing the social security numbers?"
I cannot tell you how to
view these numbers as I feel this would involve me in any type of civil action
if these numbers should fall into the wrong hands. However, I can assure you
the numbers are there as I have viewed them and have made a hard copy to
present to city hall on Monday.
----- Original Message
-----
From: Geoffrey Davidian
<mailto:geoff@MilwaukeePress.Net>
To: jbilb@frontiernet.net
<mailto:jbilb@frontiernet.net>
Sent:
Subject: RE: Contact the
editor
www.putnampit.com
<http://www.putnampit.com/>
-------- Original Message
--------
Subject: Contact the
editor
From: "
Date:
To:
Hello Mr. Davidian,
It has come to my
attention that my social securtiy number is now
posted on your Putnampit website. I am not sure just
how long this information has been posted, but that is irrelevant. I cannot
stress enough how important it is that you immeadiately
remove this information.
I will be contacting city
hall on Monday to see just how you got this information and who gave it out.
I will be checking back
this afternoon to see what, if any, changes have been made.
Have a great day,