Wearetheanswer.org
Contents
Discovery
November 23, 2007
First introduced in The Gotham Times (issue 1), Wearetheanswer.org was a public website that encouraged ordinary Gotham citizens to report suspicious activity conducted by Gotham police officers.
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Submissions
Using the "Submit Tip Now" link, visitors could enter information into the site's database. Offering any of the officers mentioned in The Gotham Times results in a reply updating the submitter on the progress of the current investigation:
Arnold Flass:
As part of the ongoing investigation into corruption in the Gotham City Police Department, the officer(s) you have reported have already been suspended from duty and charged. We anticipate that these officers will be brought to trial within the next few months. Your information will certainly be considered as part of that process. Thank you for doing your part in making Gotham City better, safer, stronger. Together, We Are The Answer.
Commissioner Loeb:
Please be assured that no one is above the law, and so as part of the ongoing investigation into department corruption, Commissioner Loeb has opened his office to investigators. There is no evidence at this time of wrongdoing on the part of the Commissioner. Please be assured that the Gotham City DA takes all information seriously and confidentially. Your information will be reviewed as part of this investigation. Thank you for doing your part in making Gotham City better, safer, stronger. Together, We Are The Answer.
Karl Breitup or Jason McCree:
Thank you for providing information on Detective Sergeant Jason McCree, Badge #4217 and/or Lt. Karl Breitup, Badge #6773. An Internal Affairs investigation has been opened on these officers and your information has been forwarded to the officer leading that investigation.
Thank you for stepping forward. It is regrettable when those invested with the public trust betray the people who look to them for protection and aid. But by exposing corruption, you are part of making Gotham better, safer, stronger.
Thank you for stepping forward. It is regrettable when those invested with the public trust betray the people who look to them for protection and aid. But by exposing corruption, you are part of making Gotham better, safer, stronger.
James Gordon:
As part of the ongoing investigation into corruption in the Gotham City Police Department, the officer you have reported has been the subject of thorough investigation. Although we are not discounting any reports at this time, all evidence has shown Lieutenant Jim Gordon's conduct on the force has been above reproach.
Larry Coniglia:
As part of the ongoing investigation into corruption in the Gotham City Police Department, the officer(s) you have reported are currently under investigation, although as of this time, there is either no evidence or insufficient evidence to charge or suspend the person(s) in question. Please be assured that the Gotham City DA takes all information seriously and confidentially. Your information will be reviewed as part of this investigation.
Thank you for doing your part in making Gotham City better, safer, stronger. Together, We Are The Answer.
Thank you for doing your part in making Gotham City better, safer, stronger. Together, We Are The Answer.
Francis Notaro, if tip submitted on or after April 6, 2008:
Thank you for your submission. Officer Francis Notaro is currently being investigated to determine his guilt or innocence.
We Are The Answer will keep the citizens of Gotham informed regarding this, and other, investigations of police officers.
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We Are The Answer will keep the citizens of Gotham informed regarding this, and other, investigations of police officers.
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Phone call
November 30, 2007
Site visitors who submitted a phone number with their tip were called by someone who sounded like Jason McCree, threatening them if they "squeal." A rough transcript follows:
We heard about your nice little message at the DA's office. I know you have some big ideas about being a good citizen but nobody likes a squealer. Nobody, you hear me?
You don't know anything about what you're talking about. They're out there. They're out there. Listening to lip, putting their lives on the line. He's working in the middle of the night and you're laying in your bed.
You see what happens next time you need one of the boys in blue. These people that you are getting all misty eyed about: you think about who they are, you think about how they might have brought it on themselves. You think about who you want on your side.
You want to know what the score really is? Check out document LC6551. You know where to look.
You don't know anything about what you're talking about. They're out there. They're out there. Listening to lip, putting their lives on the line. He's working in the middle of the night and you're laying in your bed.
You see what happens next time you need one of the boys in blue. These people that you are getting all misty eyed about: you think about who they are, you think about how they might have brought it on themselves. You think about who you want on your side.
You want to know what the score really is? Check out document LC6551. You know where to look.
A few minutes after the phone call was received, a mass email was sent from tips@wearetheanswer.org to participants:
Progress regarding your tip
Thank you for your information on suspicious activity regarding a police officer. Your information appears to possibly be very important in an open investigation* regarding the officer(s) involved. It is impossible to disclose any specific information on the investigation, but be assured that the information you have provided is being handled with the utmost seriousness and confidentiality.
If you have any further information about criminal activity that the officer(s) have or will be engaging in, you are encouraged to use the tip-line form as an ongoing resource.
Please keep this email and the information you have provided us confidential. Your information is part of an ongoing police investigation and is therefore subject to all laws governing an investigation. Premature disclosure of information could compromise the investigation.
Again, thank you for your assistance. We rely on your help. Together, we are making Gotham City better, safer, stronger. Together, We Are the Answer.
Thank you for your information on suspicious activity regarding a police officer. Your information appears to possibly be very important in an open investigation* regarding the officer(s) involved. It is impossible to disclose any specific information on the investigation, but be assured that the information you have provided is being handled with the utmost seriousness and confidentiality.
If you have any further information about criminal activity that the officer(s) have or will be engaging in, you are encouraged to use the tip-line form as an ongoing resource.
Please keep this email and the information you have provided us confidential. Your information is part of an ongoing police investigation and is therefore subject to all laws governing an investigation. Premature disclosure of information could compromise the investigation.
Again, thank you for your assistance. We rely on your help. Together, we are making Gotham City better, safer, stronger. Together, We Are the Answer.
* The "open investigation" involved an audio surveillance operation at Betty's House of Pies on December 1.
Leads
- The threatening phone message on November 30, 2007 referred to a "document LC6551," which was found in the GPD SID.
Next in Dent investigation: McCree confession
- The site's email submission update regarding the investigation on Karl Breitup revealed his badge number (#6773), which proved to be the PIN number for his Gotham Cab Company voicemail account.
Next in GPD investigation: Gotham Cab voicemails
- The email submission update on April 6, 2008, regarding the investigation on Francis Notaro, contained a line of code. Run through a Base64 translator, the code revealed the names of three documents in the GPD SID, incriminating Notaro in acts of corruption:
