If you have information you know you need to contact law enforcement. Right now that means the tip line at the Michigan State Police, 833-784-9425.

But I get it, who to trust? That is a very real concern in this and related cases. I have two contacts in law enforcement that I trust. I do not give out their contact information or forward information unless it makes some sense. That is a pretty low bar, but I’m sure the average person can understand that if someone has information that does not include a name, a license plate number or something concrete, nothing can be done about it 43 years later.

On the other hand, this information can help trigger memories of other incidents and people and this blog is a good place for that information to appear. Through this sharing of information, a much clearer picture appears of the very dangerous environments Oakland County and Wayne County were for children in the 1970’s. If you want to email me with your information rather than post directly on my blog, I can be the messenger if need be.

I will not call you. I made that mistake in the early years. You need to email me first at catherine.broad@yahoo.com. Again, if you won’t provide names, or even your own name, we aren’t going to get very far. And if your information includes crimes committed in other states, you are going to have to contact the other agencies involved as well. I have received a heartbreaking number of emails from people who were victimized in Michigan but fear for their safety in coming forward. What does that tell you about the state of law enforcement? While their stories filled out what I suspected to be true about goings on in Oakland County during the heyday of more “above ground” child pornography and pedophelia, without names and more details, nothing can be done except to grieve for a community that did not protect its most vulnerable.

Don’t let the bad guys win.