We’re calling on the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office, The Mountain Mail, Ark Valley Voice, and Heart of the Rockies Radio Group to end the practice of posting mug shots of individuals accused of crimes on social media. This practice harms people, misrepresents our community, and undermines trust. Across the country, major news outlets and law enforcement agencies are ending this outdated practice.

It’s time for Chaffee County, Colorado to do the same.

 
Why This Matters
Only a fraction of arrests are shared publicly and those that are tend to be the most sensational with mug shot images often chosen for clicks and engagement rather than public safety or information. This practice undermines trust, damages reputations, and misrepresents Chaffee County, CO.

Posting mug shots before conviction punishes people before guilt is established and without any follow-up when charges are dropped or dismissed. These images live online forever, impacting employment, housing, families, and mental health.

There is no evidence that posting mug shots deters crime. There is, however, clear evidence that it harms people and communities. If someone wants to look up an arrest, that information remains publicly available. There is no legitimate public benefit to amplifying it on social media.

 
What We’re Asking
We respectfully urge the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office, The Mountain Mail, Ark Valley Voice, and Heart of the Rockies Radio Group to:

1. End the practice of posting mug shots of individuals on social media.
2. Only share mug shots when there is a clear and compelling public interest, such as a serious public safety threat, fugitive, or ongoing investigation or case of high public interest.
3. Remove previously posted mug shots.
4. Adopt a policy similar to this statement from the Associated Press on their updated guidelines: “We do not use mug shots distributed by police in stories unless the person is a public figure or the circumstances are such that there is an urgent need for the public to see the photo. Mug shots tend to be punitive and have little news value once the immediate facts are reported.”

A Growing and Responsible Trend
Across the country, responsible law enforcement agencies and ethical news organizations have recognized that public shaming does not make communities safer and are changing course.

Media organizations leading the way include:

• The Associated Press revised its policy in 2021 to avoid using mug shots unless there is a clear public interest.
• The Chicago Tribune removed previously published mug shots and now reviews each case with “public safety, news judgment, and compassion.”
• The St. Louis Post-Dispatch stopped publishing mug shot galleries, limiting them to major crimes only.
• KPAX-TV in Montana posts mug shots only after formal charges and when follow-up coverage is likely.
• Cleveland.com in Ohio limited mug shots and even removed older ones to reduce lasting harm.
• The Sacramento Bee ended its mug shot galleries, citing bias and fairness concerns.
  
  

Law enforcement examples include:

• The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office in Arizona shut down its public mugshot website after a federal court ruled the practice violated constitutional rights.
• The San Francisco Police Department stopped routinely releasing booking photos to reduce bias and stigma.
• The Pima County Sheriff’s Department in Arizona ended public posting of booking photos, citing fairness and due process concerns.
• The Baker County Sheriff’s Office in Oregon stopped publishing booking photos on social media following statewide restrictions.
• The Sonora Police Department in California announced it would no longer post booking photos on social media under new state law.
• States including California, Illinois, Utah, and New York have enacted laws restricting booking photo releases unless there is a clear public-safety reason.

 These examples show that ethical journalism and professional policing are evolving. It is time for Chaffee County to join that growing movement.

What This Will Do for Chaffee County, CO

• Restore Trust: Align communication practices with fairness and dignity to strengthen confidence in local institutions.
• Reduce Harm: Many arrested individuals are never convicted, yet their image stays online forever.
• Promote Equity: Public mug shot posts disproportionately impact marginalized residents and reinforce stereotypes.
• Protect Our Image: Chaffee County should be known for integrity and compassion, not sensationalism.
• Refocus Resources: Social media should be used for safety updates, transparency, and community connection, not public shaming.
   

What You Can Do
Sign and share this petition with friends, neighbors, and local organizations. Contact the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office, The Mountain Mail, Ark Valley Voice, and Heart of the Rockies Radio to encourage them to adopt this policy. Speak up at community meetings, write letters to the editor, or share why this matters to you and to Chaffee County.
 
Chaffee County, Colorado can lead by example, showing that integrity, fairness, and compassion define who we are. It is time to end the posting of mug shots on social media.