Andrew Chavez discusses how to cover crime and justice.

1. Covering the cop shop Andrew Chavez, Texas Center for Community Journalism

2. Reporting Getting the info you need

4. Available from NNA for $15

5. Handheld is ideal

6. Find the frequencies online

7. Check the iPhone/Web apps

8. Best in wallet-size card

9. Ask a friendly cop

10. Check online

11. Big pad is great for sketching

13. Set multiple traps Scanner Reports Check-in calls Use your whole staff End-of-the-year statistics (audit yourself) Don’t forget fire and EMS (they’re at the big stuff, too)

14. Writing the crime story It’s easier than you think

15. Be precise Focus on the 5Ws Establish a timeline Don’t “write around it” – admit what you don’t know Ditch the jargon

16. CYA Attribute, attribute, attribute Get the documents, recordings, videos … Verify accounts (try a timeline or sketch) Be a detective and a defense attorney Save contact info for your sources Consult the AP Stylebook

17. Get out Reach out to the accused Talk to the families Visit the crime scene Find witnesses … You owe it to them

18. Follow through It doesn’t end at the arrest Be consistent about your treatments – headlines, page position, etc. Keep case files

19. Follow through

20. Policies and Ethics Making the touch decisions

21. To name or not to name? Your thoughts …

22. To name or not to name? Consider the rumor mill Think about what you would want Be consistent (write it down) Be prepared to defend yourself Print the necessary info Address Age Mugshot

23. Printing descriptions Your thoughts …

24. Printing descriptions Think about the descriptors Could you pick this person out? When is race relevant? Does clothing count?

25. Some resources

26. Some resources Dart Center for Journalism & Traumahttp://dartcenter.org/ Covering Crime and Justice: A guide for journalistshttp://www.justicejournalism.org/crimeguide/ Freedom of Information Foundation of Texashttp://foift.org/

27. Q&A Time