"Be patient"??

Sorry, as a former PR professional, I can't buy into that. G&M gave many police departments an INCREDIBLE pre-publication heads-up.  An opportunity to do more than merely "circle the wagons." Surely, if some of those PR people had their "ear to the ground" (instead of the heads in the sand) they would have been zipping memos to their Chief: "I see storm clouds gathering on sexual assault. This "unfounded" file stuff ain't gonna fly.  I propose this strategy..."  But, maybe some actually did...

I do sympathize with PR people sometimes. Getting those in charge to listen, and then PAY ATTENTION to what they hear is tough. Even tougher to get them to do something (wow) PRO-ACTIVE, which means, BEFORE storm-cloud time. 

Quote from one of my own 1990s clients: "Why are you so negative all the time??" He said it with a smile, but I got it.  It was my JOB to think "worst case scenario." 

Well, police PR people were patient--or wimps.  Now look what's happened!