baltimoresun.com - New cards, DVD put message from police in hands of suspects

baltimoresun.com - New cards, DVD put message from police in hands of suspects: "Police officials soon expect to begin distributing 1,000 DVDs with their answer to Stop Snitching, a locally produced DVD that gained nationwide attention. The video featured professional basketball star Carmelo Anthony and, for many, was a disturbing reminder of the city's chronic trouble with witness intimidation. Throughout the 90-minute video, men with guns and drugs threaten the lives of people who 'snitch' to police. Anthony has said he was unaware of video's message.

The police response - titled Keep Talking - is 90 seconds. It features scenes from Stop Snitching, video of people in handcuffs, and background music from the hip-hop song 'Shook Ones,' which is slang for a rattled criminal.

It opens with police Agent Donny Moses saying, 'The men and women of the Baltimore Police Department would like to thank the producers of the Stop Snitching video. In case you didn't know, you've made Baltimore a safer city.'

The images of two people in Stop Snitching flash onto the screen, followed by bold letters stating the criminal charges they face.

Gilmore, the military propaganda professor, said the most effective propaganda is specific and factually supported. Police say the video shows that they are backing up their word to crack down on targeted people responsible for violence.

Experts say it's crucial for the police to support their psychological campaign with physical presence.

'If MacArthur had never showed up again,' Gilmore said, 'nobody would have ever listened to the Americans.'

To view a portion of the Keep Talking video, please go to www.baltimoresun.com/policevideo.
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