Tonight on 13 News I'm breaking a story regarding a man who's been peeping into windows and exposing himself to women in one neighborhood.

A few hours ago, my photographer and I were talking to people in the neighborhood, getting their thoughts on the fact that this was happening. It's also an opportunity to inform the people who live in the immediate area of what is happening in their neighborhood.

Most people we met thanked for for either helping to spread the word about something they were already very worried about or thanked us for informing them of something happening in their neighborhood.

Part of our pledge to you is to "Protect You" through information. How many times have you heard that "knowledge is power"? I personally believe in that statement, and in covering potential danger in a neighborhood is our way of helping arm you with the information you need to make decisions for yourself. I have two very close female friends who live where this peeper/flasher is targeting people. I would NEVER tell them to stay inside, that they are now unsafe. However, some people take that reaction but that is just their choice.

Why am I ranting so?

Well, in interviewing people today I stopped a man and his wife and asked their opinion and thoughts on our story, if they had seen anything unusual, if they were worried, and how this news would impact their lives. The man looked at me squarely and laughed. He said. "Do you want to know what I think? Well, i think this is a media scare tactic to get more viewers."

I didn't quite know how to respond.

Yes, we are a business, and yes 13 News is the most watched evening news in Hampton Roads. Of course we care about viewers, we do want you to watch. But I took it a little personally to hear that this man thought we were trying to frighten you into watching.

Yes, many of the things we report on are troubling, they are scary, but we cover them to inform you, to provide you with local news, right down to your neighborhood. We feel its our responsibility to inform you and give you the knowledge to make smart decisions. I'm not here to scare you.

Sadly enough, it is a business, and yes we do air certain stories based on what we believe our viewers want to see. We all say we hate seeing "bad stories" on the news. But the sad truth of the matter is, when we don't cover crime, or those so-called "bad stories" no one watches. We see our competitors ratings rise and ours fall. If we ignored that, we'd all be out of a job, it is a business. However, our mission is always to inform, to provide information and let you choose how to handle it. We do cover crime but always ask ourselves how the story is relevant to all our viewers, we try to make the information we provide not just something to make you stop and look at the TV, but information you can take away and add to your life to make your world a little safer.

I hope if you feel we're just out here scaring you, this provides a little insight into why we cover the stories we do.

I invite you all to weigh in and tell me your thoughts, after all, we are here to serve you. I welcome your feedback.

I have to run... the news van is loaded up... and live coverage awaits.

---