The Beat has received emails from readers wondering why we no longer post the police blotters.

First, Dispatch told us it took too much time and they are short-staffed.

Then one police department said it would be willing to share them, but couldn't figure out how to provide them to the Beat through the new system.

Then, a commissioner has been trying to find out why the Beat can no longer receive and post the blotters.

Today, the commissioner said he is being told that the Beat may have to issue an IPRA (inspection of public records act) request.

The Beat's question is: Why all of a sudden, after years of receiving and reporting on and posting the blotters, which are public record, do we have to now request those public records?

If you wish to address this issue by writing a letter to the editor, the Beat will happily post them. Please let us know why you miss the blotters. 

However, you MUST sign the letter with your name and preferably your town or county of residence. The Beat's policy is NOT to post editorials or letters to the editor without at least a name.