For many students, the pictures they took this Halloween will last a lifetime, but not in the way they expect.
The 128 students arrested Halloween weekend could see their mug shots on the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail Web site. The picture, name and description of the offense are listed at www.seorj.com for everyone who has ever been held in the regional jail facility.
Regardless of the nature of the offense, pictures and information are available to anyone who accesses the site, said Lt. James Eddy of the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail.
Even those who have committed minor crimes are criminals, Eddy said. If someone has done something against the law
they've done something against the law he said.
Many Ohio University students disagreed, saying that minor offenses should not be publicized in the same way as major crimes.
Isn't that jeopardizing the privacy of people? It's not like they committed murder said Ana Milosevac, a student from Yugoslavia.
I wouldn't want it up for public intoxication
but for a federal offense
like molestation (it would be understandable)
senior Seth Klassen said.
One student said she would want information posted for only certain crimes.
You do have a right to know (about) certain crimes
such as sex offenders
sophomore Ann Locke said.
Some students said they would be upset to see their own pictures on the Web site.
I would be so embarrassed if I was ever arrested
and to have your picture on a Web site on top of that would suck
junior Katie McGuinness said.
The jail has the right to post those pictures online because it is public information, Eddy said.
Anyone could come to the jail and request (the information) and get it at the jail
he said.
Posting the pictures online is something Eddy said he supports.
The public should have a place to check on their neighbors. I get on to check for my kids if they want to spend the night somewhere
