Sylvia Working With Sheriff?

[Miss Whiplash]

On the 30 May Montel Williams show, Sylvia Browne made this statement:

Listen to me. Will you -- I don't usually do this. Would you have, if they will, 'cause I've got two -- I've got about 250 cases. I've got two sheriffs I’m working with out at Santa Barbara now. Would you please give the name and everything to the policeman? Say there's no way Sylvia could have known, she just said it. And they'll call me.

So, Sylvia has actually dropped a name this time - the Santa Barbara sheriff's office. Can someone contact the department and confirm they using Sylvia's services? I emailed the public affairs office of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department, but I have not received a reply.

[Locknar]

Actually....technically there is only ONE Sherriff in Santa Barbara County, and that is Bill Brown; there is a "2nd in Command" type Undersheriff, several Chief Deputy's, and then of course the Deputy's.

There is also a City of Santa Barbara Police Department, which is seperate from the Sherriff's Department.

With her intermixing "police", and "sherriffs" together, it's hard to tell who she really means though maybe that is better explained outside of the quote you mention?

[Miss Whiplash]

When she said "sheriffs" I took it to mean a deputy and the sheriff. The highlights of the show are here. (http://www.mondoskepto.com/node/139) This exchange is at the end of the article.

Personally, I take her mixing both police and sheriff as deliberate vagueness.

[Locknar]

"Personally, I take her mixing both police and sheriff as deliberate vagueness."

Aye...as do I

Did you notice this exchange:
Guest: Hi, Sylvia. I love your books. I can communicate with the dead, and I help people that are grieving.
Sylvia: Right.
Guest: But I'm getting -- I don’t know my spirit guide's name. I would love to. But I get messages from the other side that I should not do it, I shouldn't write. I'll go to hell.
Sylvia: Why?
Guest: Yeah. And yet, I've gone to three different priests, and they say if I'm helping others -- I'm not charging -- go ahead and do it.
Sylvia: I don't have any problem with Catholics -- they've never had any problem with me.
Guest: No, the priests said fine.
Sylvia: I used to read for all the nuns and priests.
Guest: The priests said go ahead, do it.
Sylvia: Yeah.

Now...I'm not Catholic, but I'm not seeing any priest endoring this practice.

[Locknar]

Ok...for what it is worth, according to the Catholic church, talking with the dead (in the context that SB and this Guest are talking) is PROHIBITED.

Like anything else SB does, I'd have say "what Priest" endorsed this practice? I'm not Catholic, and it only took my 17 minutes to find the answer; and I dare say a Priest would be FAR FAR FAR more expert on the church then I.

[Björn Toulouse]

I think her use of the term "sheriffs" may actually have been "sheriff's" - meaning plural and possessive at the same time. By this I say that when I had dealings with a local sheriff's department, when deputies arrived, I would say "the sheriffs are here", meaning that the sheriff's deputies are here. We would also refer to the sheriff's department in the same manner, just casually dropping the second word.

I would interpret her statement to mean that she claims that she is working with at least two members of law enforcement. I would doubt that the high sheriff of any jurisdiction would be personally working with a psychic, unless it was some podunk county where the sheriff gets involved hands on.

Now whether or not she is able to make the distinction between a sheriff's department and any other law enforcement agency is another matter, as well as whether the statement she made is true to begin with.

[Locknar]

Bjorn - I dunno, when she says "I've got two sheriffs I’m working with...", I take that to mean two people.

The way she interchanges "sheriff" with "police" simply confuses things; though perhaps a innocent mistake....given her MO I'd be more inclined to say she did this intentionally to confuse the issue.

[Björn Toulouse]

Bjorn - I dunno, when she says "I've got two sheriffs I’m working with...", I take that to mean two people.

The way she interchanges "sheriff" with "police" simply confuses things; though perhaps a innocent mistake....given her MO I'd be more inclined to say she did this intentionally to confuse the issue.


Not saying that I believe her, I take it to mean at least 2 members of some law enforcement agency too, not necessarily a "sheriff's department."

Even personnel that worked with me who should have known better had some difficulty at times in distinguishing between city policemen, county policemen, and the sheriff's deputies in written reports. We handled situations in many, many jurisdictions, but those were the 3 main law enforcement agency types we dealt with, and even they got them mixed up.

And, she may be being vague as you say.

[JoeTheJuggler]

So, Sylvia has actually dropped a name this time - the Santa Barbara sheriff's office. Can someone contact the department and confirm they using Sylvia's services? I emailed the public affairs office of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department, but I have not received a reply.

Is this this address you used? pio@sbsheriff.org

I predict they will deny that they are in any way working with her.

[Miss Whiplash]

Yes, that's the address I used.

Personally, I think they saw the words "Sylvia Browne" and trashed the email.

[JoeTheJuggler]

I dunno--I at least got responses when I queried the Thibaudaux Police regarding another Sylvia claim. If you e-mailed them on Friday, I'd at least wait a couple of days into next week before following up.

[Miss Whiplash]

I just got this email from the PIO regarding Sylvia Browne:

No we are not working with this person. We have interviewed her in the past as she claimed to have information regarding one of our cases. I believe this was a repeat of a 2006 Montel show, as I recall handling a
similar question a year ago.

Either Montel is repackaging his tapes or Sylvia is repackaging her answers.

[Reager]

I just got this email from the PIO regarding Sylvia Browne:



Either Montel is repackaging his tapes or Sylvia is repackaging her answers.

Judging by that rather terse response, I take it the information she provided in her "interview" was not particularly helpful...

[TruthBeTold]

And I'm pretty sure the May 30th show was not a repeat.

[Miss Anthrope]

Oooh, I hope RSL jumps on this one.

ETA: Did you forward him the email?
(Miss A hearts your site too)

[Locknar]

Well that eliminates the Sheriff's Dept, but not the city Police Dept; as she said "policeman".

[Kilgore Trout]

It wasn't listed as a repeat though it seemed like one. The book she was hawking was Exploring the Levels, right? That's (relatively speaking) an older one. It also didn't have the new format where someone will sit next to Sylvia, like the Billy Bass woman from that instant classic a couple weeks ago.

[Conspiracy theory]Perhaps it was in the can (err... so to speak...) and aired as new, though recorded awhile ago; the question from a year ago may have been from someone that attended the show as opposed to viewed it. We haven't seen Eenie's show, either (I'm still waiting to see if they show that very confused fellow that was mentioned). Maybe this was put in its place as a substitute to allow for a new show, but to keep EMM's show from being seen?[/Conspiracy theory]

[Miss Whiplash]

Well that eliminates the Sheriff's Dept, but not the city Police Dept; as she said "policeman".

Sylvia never said she was working with the city police department: "I've got two sheriffs I’m working with out at Santa Barbara now..." She said to "tell the policeman." It appears she is telling the guest to speak to the police. I do not know if this woman's case was even in California.

Oooh, I hope RSL jumps on this one.

ETA: Did you forward him the email?
(Miss A hearts your site too)

Thank you! Yes, the email is on the way.

[grayman]

On this week's Montel show (in case you're interested):

SYLVIA BROWNE: INSIDE THE PSYCHIC WORLD The people we’ll meet today say they are searching for answers to unexplained events in their lives that have left them mystified. They have questions pertaining to visitors from the other side, extraterrestrial life, past lives, numerology, and unusual images captured in photographs! Will Sylvia Browne be able to ease their minds and provide them with the answers they’ve been so desperately seeking?

Deb and Jay are a married couple that believe their house is being haunted. They have felt a presence and have seen things fly about the room.

Many years after Jarry’s son Hector died, she and her daughter, Leslie are feeling his presence guide them.

Who is haunting Rachel’s high school theater?

Suzanne and her daughter Pam are baffled by crop circles that have appeared on their property.

Debra believes that a spirit family resides in her home alongside her own family.

What exactly saved Sally’s life when she was close to being attacked?

Diana has been using Sylvia’s tapes to regress to the time of the ancient Greeks.

Phil feels that he is strangely connected to the number 13. He has also been spared from death twice! Will Sylvia be able to unravel these mysterious occurrences?


Our Phil?

[ChristineR]

Amazing. A whole hour of non-committal fluff. No more agonized parents for our Sylvia, I guess.

:a2:

[TruthBeTold]

Ah yes, but we're going to get to hear more about crop circles!! :popcorn1

[RSLancastr]

On this week's Montel show (in case you're interested):Unless some else's high school theatre is being haunted, this is a repeat.

[TruthBeTold]

Maybe Montel's editors are going through the newly taped shows and taking out anything that could possibly be verified as false?

[Miss Whiplash]

There was certainly something up in this last show. Montel was snippy. It was like he was guarding Sylvia in a way.

[Locknar]

Vampire - My point was, Sylvia said "sheriff" and "policeman" when talking about Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara County has a Sheriff's Dept; Santa Barbara city has a Police Dept.

Granted, I could be to literal...I live in a rural part of MD, and we have a Sheriff's Dept. which has been subject to much debate over the years as to forming a Police Dept.

[Slimething]

Vampire - My point was, Sylvia said "sheriff" and "policeman" when talking about Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara County has a Sheriff's Dept; Santa Barbara city has a Police Dept.


I think TV has done her due diligence. We could play this game of "what did she really mean?" for a long time. Best to take SB at her word. Who knows if there's a Santa Barbara too small to show up in search engines anywhere else but CA?

Even if it were the wrong force, SB would have a difficult time explaining why the Sherrif of Santa Barbara found her about as useful as second-hand toilet paper.

[Miss Whiplash]

Vampire - My point was, Sylvia said "sheriff" and "policeman" when talking about Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara County has a Sheriff's Dept; Santa Barbara city has a Police Dept.

Granted, I could be to literal...I live in a rural part of MD, and we have a Sheriff's Dept. which has been subject to much debate over the years as to forming a Police Dept.

I understand Locknar. There are places here where jurisdiction overlaps and can be confused between city and county. Still, I think she's only referring to working with the sheriff's department on the telecast.

[Spidey13]

Unless some else's high school theatre is being haunted, this is a repeat.

ALL theatres are haunted! Didn't you know that??






:boxedin:

[CFLarsen]

"We have interviewed her in the past as she claimed to have information regarding one of our cases."

That sounds to me as if Sylvia contacted the police, not the other way around.

[RSLancastr]

That sounds to me as if Sylvia contacted the police, not the other way around.
If the person in the reading followed Sylvia's advice, quoted in the OP:

Would you please give the name and everything to the policeman? Say there's no way Sylvia could have known, she just said it. And they'll call me.... the police may well have called her.

As I understand it, when someone says that they know something about the crime, the cops will call them, even if it is someone claiming to be a psychic. For one thing, the person claiming to be psychic may actually be someone who knows something about the crime through non-psychic means, and wishes to share it without admitting that they were an actual witness to the crime.

[CFLarsen]

If the person in the reading followed Sylvia's advice, quoted in the OP:

... the police may well have called her.

As I understand it, when someone says that they know something about the crime, the cops will call them, even if it is someone claiming to be a psychic. For one thing, the person claiming to be psychic may actually be someone who knows something about the crime through non-psychic means, and wishes to share it without admitting that they were an actual witness to the crime.

Hardly in Sylvia's case, given her fame.

Hm?

[RSLancastr]

Hardly in Sylvia's case, given her fame.

Hm?WEll, you may be surprised that despite her fame in certain circles, there are loads of people out there who have never heard of her. For example, I have told more than a dozen of the people I work with about the SSB site, and about half of them had never heard of her.

Also, I have been told that police will often follow up on "psychic" leads when the family of a missing person or murder victim requests it. Whether they follow up on it with any enthusiasm may be another matter.

[Big Les]

Hardly in Sylvia's case, given her fame.

Hm?

Whilst that specific reason may not apply (and I'm not sure fame is any modifier), the police may well have followed her up purely as a matter of procedure. My understanding is the same as Robert's, i.e. police forces are obliged to follow up every lead wherever practicable, no matter how bonkers it may appear on the surface. This is, of course, how those psychics who claim to have assisted police are legitimately (if misleadingly) able to do so.

[CFLarsen]

WEll, you may be surprised that despite her fame in certain circles, there are loads of people out there who have never heard of her. For example, I have told more than a dozen of the people I work with about the SSB site, and about half of them had never heard of her.

Also, I have been told that police will often follow up on "psychic" leads when the family of a missing person or murder victim requests it. Whether they follow up on it with any enthusiasm may be another matter.

I doubt that the police would call someone claiming to know about a case like this without doing a wee bit of research first.

But then, they're cops.... ;)

[SezMe]

The Vampire, I'm in Santa Barbara and would be quite willing to talk to the Sheriffs Department to try to get more info. Was there a name on that e-mail? ANY indentifying info at all?

[SezMe]

Who knows if there's a Santa Barbara too small to show up in search engines anywhere else but CA?
MapQuest turns up Santa Barbara, CA and four tiny villages in Puerto Rico. I think it's reasonable to assume the California location.

[Slimething]

MapQuest turns up Santa Barbara, CA and four tiny villages in Puerto Rico. I think it's reasonable to assume the California location.

There's also one in Brasil. Build your best case then see if she doesn't know about the ones in other places. Know what I mean? ;)

[Miss Whiplash]

The Vampire, I'm in Santa Barbara and would be quite willing to talk to the Sheriffs Department to try to get more info. Was there a name on that e-mail? ANY indentifying info at all?

Yes. I'll PM you.

[Spektator]

Hmmm....I work in education, and we are expected to publish every so often. I see my next article already: "Haunted High Schools: Are Ghosts the New Challenge to 'No Child Left Behind?'"

Sad thing is, I could probably find someone to publish the darn thing.

[Loss Leader]

Also, I have been told that police will often follow up on "psychic" leads when the family of a missing person or murder victim requests it. Whether they follow up on it with any enthusiasm may be another matter.


Kelly, I think, confirmed that police will follow up on almost any lead the family wants them to no matter how much of a waste of time they think it is.

[Jon.]

Kelly, I think, confirmed that police will follow up on almost any lead the family wants them to no matter how much of a waste of time they think it is.

This is not surprising. After all, if a psychic said a person was in location x, and the police didn't check but the family did, and the person was there, the police would look very very bad.

Also, as was alluded to above, sometimes they suspect the "psychic" has real information but doesn't want to say why. Although this might not be as valid a consideration where the psychic is someone famous like SB, it would be very difficult to write a policy that allowed them to ignore famous psychics while following up leads from unknown ones. It would also make them look bad to that segment of the general public that believes in psychics.

[Kelly]

There is nothing in written policy (to my knowledge) that requires police (LE)to investigate any and all psychic leads. I suspect that there will be some agencies who take a very hard core stance and do nothing with those leads other than laugh about them over a cup of coffee.

I do believe, however, (based upon my experience with them and the families)that most will check outs leads that provide enough info to be investigated. I can recall my LE telling me about leads and they checked out and some they didn't. On the ones they didn't, my impression that it was due to one of two reasons:

1) not enough information to follow up on
2) the psychic was determined by LE to be a mentally unstable person (they may have had previous contacts with this person)

[JoeTheJuggler]

My guess is the "interview" went something like this:

sheriff: You say you have information about a crime we're investigating?

SB: Yes. My spirit guide Francine told me that--

sheriff: Wait a minute. Do you know any of the people associated with this case?

SB: No, but I've got these impressions--

sheriff: Did you witness anything connected to this case?

SB: No, because on the other side--

sheriff: Thank you!


Seriously, though, when a person comes forward claiming to have information on the case, the police will be interested. I doubt that her name meant anything to them, and they probably set up the interview before realizing that her information is strictly of a paranormal variety.

[CFLarsen]

Seriously, though, when a person comes forward claiming to have information on the case, the police will be interested. I doubt that her name meant anything to them, and they probably set up the interview before realizing that her information is strictly of a paranormal variety.

That's exactly it:

I don't think that the police contacted Sylvia to hear if she had something to say about this. It sounds much more as if the police had heard that there was this woman (I'm being generous here by including Sylvia in the human race, but subsequently mortally offending all women by doing so) who claimed to have information about this case.

Thus, Sylvia created the connection to the police, and not vice versa.

[headscratcher4]

Here is what I never understand about alleged psychics claiming that they work with police.

If they contact the police with information that proves to be useful...you'll find the body near a body of water, it will be wearing green sox...why aren't they then a suspect?

If they contact the police with non-useful information, why isn't it obstruction of justice or interfering with a police investigation?

I have long argued on these boards that without proof that a "psychic" has powers -- and there is no proof -- anything a "psychic" tells the police either puts that person under suspicion (i.e. how did they know that? Answer: a voice told me...police conclusion: that has to be a lie, useful information could only come from someone who know about the commision of the crime...), or it would be totally unusable in a court of law (Judge, we need a warrent? Why? We've suspicion that Michael has abducted a child and murdered him,. leaving his bike in another state. We want to search Michael's house. Judge: how do you have this information? A psychic told us. Judge: warrent denied, no reasonable basis for suspicion.

You can also see how that would go down in court...Defense counsil asking the police how their suspicion came to rest on his client...A pyshic told us ... Your honor, I move that the charges against my client be dismissed for lack of evidence....

It isn't just why police won't admit they work with psychics, it is why the wouldn't work with psychics...that, and of course, they are liars and fakers.

[Loss Leader]

Here is what I never understand about alleged psychics claiming that they work with police.
...
If they contact the police with non-useful information, why isn't it obstruction of justice or interfering with a police investigation?


Well, I think that's why most "psychics" don't work with the police; they work with the family. The family may well have wasted police resources demanding that they follow up on a psychic tip but the cops are not going to start charging them with obstruction. That's what distraught people do.

The psychics who go directly to the police, on the other hand, are much more likely to just be mentally ill. The cops won't generally charge them, though, because that's just sad.

[CFLarsen]

Here is what I never understand about alleged psychics claiming that they work with police.

If they contact the police with information that proves to be useful...you'll find the body near a body of water, it will be wearing green sox...why aren't they then a suspect?

They would be the prime suspect.

If they contact the police with non-useful information, why isn't it obstruction of justice or interfering with a police investigation?

It is.

Usually, you go to jail for that. But not if you are a psychic. Then, you get away with the most damning accusations, merely because you claim paranormal powers.

I have long argued on these boards that without proof that a "psychic" has powers -- and there is no proof -- anything a "psychic" tells the police either puts that person under suspicion (i.e. how did they know that? Answer: a voice told me...police conclusion: that has to be a lie, useful information could only come from someone who know about the commision of the crime...), or it would be totally unusable in a court of law (Judge, we need a warrent? Why? We've suspicion that Michael has abducted a child and murdered him,. leaving his bike in another state. We want to search Michael's house. Judge: how do you have this information? A psychic told us. Judge: warrent denied, no reasonable basis for suspicion.

You can also see how that would go down in court...Defense counsil asking the police how their suspicion came to rest on his client...A pyshic told us ... Your honor, I move that the charges against my client be dismissed for lack of evidence....

It isn't just why police won't admit they work with psychics, it is why the wouldn't work with psychics...that, and of course, they are liars and fakers.

How would you cross-examine a spirit? It all depends on how the psychic "interprets" what the "spirit" tells him/her.

One thing is certain:

If the result is positive - that is, the criminal is caught - the psychic gets the credit.

If the result is negative - that is, the criminal is not caught, and perhaps an innocent is named - the psychic cannot be held responsible.

In any case: The psychic wins. The psychic cannot lose.

[ChristineR]

Interesting article. (http://www.csicop.org/si/2005-07/i-files.html)

Most of it is pretty standard debunking, but the case of Etta Louise Smith is interesting. To make a long story short, she told the police where to find a body, but she didn't seem to be having a vision in the literal, optical sense as she could not describe the surroundings.

The police promptly arrested her, she later sued for false arrest and won. Eventually it was shown that she and the murderer had a mutual friend.

It's the closest thing to an argument for the police not dismissing these cranks out of hand I've seen. It's damn unfortunate that Smith had been hoodwinked by the likes of Sylvia Browne, or else she would have found a better way to make her anonymous tip.

[Ove]

On this week's Montel show (in case you're interested):



Our Phil?

No, Dr. Phil most likely... ;)

[CFLarsen]

Interesting article. (http://www.csicop.org/si/2005-07/i-files.html)

Most of it is pretty standard debunking, but the case of Etta Louise Smith is interesting. To make a long story short, she told the police where to find a body, but she didn't seem to be having a vision in the literal, optical sense as she could not describe the surroundings.

The police promptly arrested her, she later sued for false arrest and won. Eventually it was shown that she and the murderer had a mutual friend.

It's the closest thing to an argument for the police not dismissing these cranks out of hand I've seen. It's damn unfortunate that Smith had been hoodwinked by the likes of Sylvia Browne, or else she would have found a better way to make her anonymous tip.

Etta Smith had been (posing as) a psychic before the murder.

[ChristineR]

Etta Smith had been (posing as) a psychic before the murder.

The article implies otherwise, but I'll take your word for it.

[SezMe]

I was finally able to make phone contact with the Public Information Officer at the Santa Barbara Sheriffs Department. We had a nice chat but he was unwilling to let go with much information. He asked a lot of questions about why I was interested, who I was with, etc.

I gave him RSL's web site which he said he would take a look at. By the end of the conversation, he seemed more open to sharing more information. He said give him till the end of next week to dig into what information they do have and what the "powers that be" are willing to share. He said if it related to a cold (but still open) case, they really won't be able to say much.

We'll see........

[ChristineR]

Unfortunately Sylvia has a history of throwing out names of persons with some connection to a crime (like knowing the victim) and declaring them to be guilty. The sheriff may not wish to say she accused a particular person, or even that the person she accused was cleared, especially if the case is still open.

It will probably come down to "she said that one of the suspects was definitely guilty, but no new or useful information was provided."

[PastBrowneFan]

SB has a huge habit of name and title dropping, as does her entire staff.

She likes to say she's working with Police, Sheriff Depts., Investigators, the FBI, stars that "can't be named", and on and on and on.

This builds up her EGO, though it is a false Ego, and gives her self importance among herself and those who follow and believe in her blindly.

I also believe that she does this to try to intimidate those who have not only learned the true nature of her and her "church", but have actually become disgusted enough to break away. By having people believe that she is in so tight with various branches of law enforcement, she probably believes that anyone would be afraid to challenge her.

It's worked for 41 years, but no longer.

[SeekingTruth]

I also believe that she does this to try to intimidate those who have not only learned the true nature of her and her "church", but have actually become disgusted enough to break away. By having people believe that she is in so tight with various branches of law enforcement, she probably believes that anyone would be afraid to challenge her.


It's worked for 41 years. All those who have walked away that have in their possession information that could bring all of them up on criminal charges but have refused to do anything with it - that pretty much speaks for itself I'd say. If they weren't afraid, they'd have released it long before now.

ST

[TruthBeTold]

I'd be more afraid of holding onto it and aiding and abetting than speaking out against them.
The truth will set you free you guys!! :D
I admit I don't want hassles from those in Campbell but I sometimes wonder what the heck we're afraid of! Anything they do against us will be swiftly publicly reported and they know that now!!

[SeekingTruth]

I'd be more afraid of holding onto it and aiding and abetting than speaking out against them.
The truth will set you free you guys!! :D
I admit I don't want hassles from those in Campbell but I sometimes wonder what the heck we're afraid of! Anything they do against us will be swiftly publicly reported and they know that now!!

RSL has made that perfectly clear - that he will put on his website immediately anything that they do to go after anyone revealing information. That's a wonderful safety net as far as I'm concerned. And maybe that's why information is beginning to be brought forward now. I'm sure RSL has plenty that hasn't even been addressed yet - since he's one person trying to keep up with everything coming in to him. Again RSL, if you need help with anything - researching something - typing things up, whatever, I'm available....and I know many others are too. Just tell us what we need to do and if we can do it, you've got it. I admire you more than you'll ever know.

ST

[SezMe]

Well, I FINALLY heard back from the PIO of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff. Here's the skinny:

The case was a murder case. The victim's family notified the Sheriff detectives who were on the case that SB would be on the Montel show discussing the case. So, as the PIO put it, they all gathered around the TV to see what she would say. She, of course, didn't say much.

But the detectives, not wanting to leave a stone unturned, called her Campbell office to talk with her but she never returned their calls. Eventually, two detectives actually went to Browne's Campbell, CA office but were told she was not in and not available. They went home empty handed. (BTW, it is about a 6+ hour drive from Santa Barbara to Campbell).

Browne never did respond to this visit.

The detectives did follow up on whatever little SB said on the show but nothing came from following those leads.

Bottom line: SB refused to help the Santa Barbara Sheriff with this case. She even refused to talk to them in person or on the phone. Her leads were useless.

But the department did waste time and manpower on the whole affair.

Sad but typical, I'd say.

[Big Les]

Nice one SezMe. One for stopsylviabrowne.com?

[SezMe]

RSL has asked for contact info via PM so we'll see.

[Mojo]

As I understand it, when someone says that they know something about the crime, the cops will call them, even if it is someone claiming to be a psychic. For one thing, the person claiming to be psychic may actually be someone who knows something about the crime through non-psychic means, and wishes to share it without admitting that they were an actual witness to the crime.


This is precisely what has been happening in a current case (http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2092504,00.html) in Portugal: Each clairvoyant's claim was being taken seriously in case they were from the person or people who snatched Madeleine from her parent's holiday apartment in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz on May 3, Chief Inspector Sousa said.

"That is one of the reasons that we cannot discard anything," he said. "We must check them all in case it might be from the kidnapper.

[EeneyMinnieMoe]

Awesome! Glad they finally responded.

For what it's worth, Carol Wood's sister was quoted as saying that the Oswego police would follow up on everything she gave them. (http://www.troopers.state.ny.us/Wanted_and_Missing/Missing/view.cfm?ID=b8e97354-2e3e-4068-86e0-a23dd375d6bd (http://www.troopers.state.ny.us/Wanted_and_Missing/Missing/view.cfm?ID=b8e97354-2e3e-4068-86e0-a23dd375d6bd) ) If she had a dream about Carol being someplace, she would call the police and they'd investigate it. Needless to say, they followed up on every thread of what Sylvia Browne told them on the Sally Jesse Rapheal Show...which I didn't even know she was ever on! Oh, the idea of those two ugly cows together :covereyes .

It's inexplicable that the police would behave like that but maybe the police officers can be just as desperate to crack a case as anyone would be. Or they do it for the comfort and peace of mind of the family.

I've done my best to follow up on every missing persons case shown on Montel I could find and after some 50 or more cases, I have yet to find one where she was even partially successful or the least bit of help.

What amazes me about psychics is how they manage to get so much credit for so little. They go on these shows or speak to these families and we see it and, for some reason, we're under the impression they solved the case. Why?!