Tragedy Strikes in Boston
Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Julissa Brisman. We are horrified and deeply saddened that our community services have been associated in any way whatsoever with a crime of violence.
We will of course do everything in our power to assist law enforcement in apprehending the perpetrator as soon as possible.
Given the crime rate in society at large, it is remarkable how exceedingly few crimes have any connection with the 50 million Americans using craigslist each month. This reflects the good intentions of virtually all craigslist users, the effectiveness of staff efforts to prevent crime from reaching the site, and perhaps realization among criminals that using craigslist in connection with a crime is a virtual guarantee that they will be caught. Any misuse of craigslist for crime is unacceptable however, and we will not rest until it is eliminated.
Sadly, just as in society as a whole, terrible tragedies are possible despite everyone’s best efforts. We are evaluating this incident closely to see if there are any additional things craigslist could be doing to further improve safety for our users and the general public.
While incidence of violent crime on craigslist is vanishingly low, the risk is not zero, and it behooves us all to take common sense precautions online as we do offline. Personal safety tips for community members are prominently posted throughout the craigslist website and include the following recommendations from safety experts;
- Insist on a public meeting place like a cafe
- Tell a friend or family member where you’re going
- Take your cell phone along if you have one
- Consider having a friend accompany you
- Trust your instincts, and report any suspicious activity to authorities
April 17th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Not a “Craigslist” Killer, a sociopath Killer!
It is so ridiculous that the media sensationalizes this as the “Craigslist Killer”, we all know that a psycho sociopath is the killer and “Craigslist” has nothing to do with his actions. When the Boston Strangler read the Boston Globe and hunted his victims no suggest this was the “Boston Globe Killer”.
If there were a city of 50 million people that had the crime stats of the Craigslist community it would be hailed as the most peaceful nation on earth.
I applaud Craigslist efforts to cooperate with law enforcement and lock up sick people like these and keep them where they belong, away from society.
April 17th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
i agree with the last response, a media and conservative attempt to mar an otherwise wildly successful source of commerce. what proof does anyone have that craigslist is in any way a source? Answer; zero…..
don’t be fooled by the talking heads, it is just a way to admit that law enforcement is truly clueless in their ongoing “investigation”….Morons!
April 17th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
I think it takes a horrible excuse for a human to deliberatley hurt another. This case they hurt a whole family. I think that craigslist is not to blame, but the person with the sick and twisted mind is the one to blame.
We as craigslist users can assist in keeping these people off from the best site in the world, by reporting any suspicious postings that we see. Lets all stick together and assist craigslist in making this a safer and better place to conduct business.
April 17th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Maybe the police dert
Should set up a sting
Operation. To catch
This loser before he
Attacks someone else
April 17th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Like in the case of transexual, Angie Zapata, her killer was associated with a social website. But i dont see that site or craigslist as the blame. Failing to use common sense and judgement is why these horrible events occur. And the fact that our current society has all but degenerated to a point of zero respect for human life is is the real culprit. Meeting someone is on craigslist is no more dangerous than meeting a stranger in a nightclub. But judgment and common sense must prevail in these interactions.
April 17th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
I am a law enforcement officer and my department was recently involved in a theft case where the stolen merchandise was sold through craigslist. The staff at this site helped us to successfully resolve the case, identify the perpetrators and make an arrest. I have nothing but praise for craigslist, especially given my dealings with other entities like paypal, in similar circumstances. I applaud the craigslist staff for their cooperation and support for effective law enforcement. I wish my brothers in Boston success and hope they take this horrendous killer off the streets for good.
April 17th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Just an FYI… Bill O’Reilly was on a nut about this tonight on his show. He is known for his stalking of people, sending his producers out to stalk people.
So, if I were you, if you don’t own a firearm, I would get one. I mean, Bill O. can be quite the asshole about this stuff.
So, just letting you know what to expect.
Horrible thing here, and it’s sad you all got caught up in it.
….and just an FYI to FOX Noise, you come near me, and I’ll kill your asses.
-Pat
April 18th, 2009 at 12:06 am
Craigslist should not suffer any liability here since Julissa Brisman should have been able to enjoy the services of Craigslist just as millions of others have.
Craigslist provides a service for the public which is basically free and has provided countless transactions and information sources, sales, and roommates to many people. As I recall, there are disclaimers also at this excellent site which do caution users and buyers.
This unfortunate murder tragedy is not necessarily about this online ad service, Craigslist, but is more likely about Julissa’s contacts, etc., and possibly her competitors. Other aspiring actresses have been murdered in broad daylight in the past few years in New York right on the streets, and there should be a pattern to these killings which will yield something common about them.
I think people are grief stricken right now and suffering shock, so why not think it through and not jump to conclusions at focusing any blame on Craigslist. Julissa had good intentions so did not understand that she was still in a higher risk profession even though not engaged in prostitution.
April 18th, 2009 at 2:03 am
I have suggested to local officials here in the City of Riverside and the County of Riverside that they and our sister County San Bernardino, which comprise the Inland Empire in Southern California to contact Craigslist and put their information on CL’s law enforcement page wherein CL users may report any ads that appear to target minors, such as solicitations for sex.
But to my knowledge they have NOT contacted CL, to take this step to help protect our minors.
All that to say, eveyone needs to take what preventative measures they are able to take, and some areas have not stepped up to the plate, though Craigslist has provided a way to help minors.
I should say I have not seen the Boston story and do not know what happened there.
I am saying that Craigslist has and continues to take various means to mitigate bad situatons, and we all have to do what we can to can, and that includes Police Units from all over arranging to have their contact information linked to CL so situations can be promptly reported.
April 19th, 2009 at 5:04 am
I say just take the (personals) section off craigslist.
April 19th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Just an FYI… I’m not some sort crazy loon, I’m someone that takes MY own personal safety very seriously. I believe that safety extends to crazy people like this person here that did this to this woman, AND crazy loons like Bill O’Reilly and his idiot producer Jesse Waters.
April 19th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Safety First - always. It is a trajedy and I hope that law enforcement can put peace in the hearts of the family. Craigslist should not be at any fault (from the information I have read). All that use the services of Craigslist need to practice common sense. I know that times are financially difficult for many and we would like to make a deal. But never before our safety.
April 20th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Just tonight I made one sale and one give-away. It worked smoothly and perfectly and everyone was happy and I met even just briefly some very nice complete strangers. I’m sure that happens 10 million times a day through CL, yet the sensationalist media chooses to select this one tragedy??
Come to think of it, is there a place on CL to post comments AFTER a sale, exchange, encounter, etc is made? I’d love to be able to post how well my sale went.
peace,
~casey
April 21st, 2009 at 11:56 am
I’m with DAVE above. Just take the personals OFF of Craigslist. It’s a great site, do you really want to have ANY part of a situation like that again? Is there really a reason other than “because” they can that you are allowing Prostitutes to put naked pictures with provocative poses on your site to look for clients? Then turn and say you DON”T condone it or have anything to do with it? Whatever.
April 21st, 2009 at 2:04 pm
please let me add Craigs list does alot of good and sometimes bad things happen to folks who just want to buy a car or a bike but “erotic” has only the bad and breeds only what is immoral. Thats why it should come down
April 21st, 2009 at 3:58 pm
To those ranting about nude photos on CL: Craigslist is a commnity intended for adults, so there’s no good reason to censor the photos people post here. If parents properly monitored their childrens’ internet usage, nearly all of the horrible things happening to children using public networking sites would disappear. Parents should NOT assume their children can make good judgements. If they could, they’d be allowed to move out on their own at age 12.
As for all this business in the news, anyone who uses poor judgment and meets random strangers from the internet without taking precautions to protect their personal safety is an idiot. These days, anyone who has internet access KNOWS that meeting like this has the potential to be dangerous, and that there are measures that should be taken. Hell, CL reminds us of that on all the pages of the personals section. If you ignore the warnings, that’s your fault for being stupid.
No one deserves to be hurt, but for people with poor judgement, it’s an inenvitability.
The people who claim they didn’t know about the potential danger here are about as ridiculous as pack-a-day smokers with cancer claiming they didn’t know the risks. When are people going to grow up and take responsibility for their own actions rather than blaming websites!?!?
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:18 am
I think they should be thanking Craig’s list. This is how this person was apprehended. If this person was soliciting on the street and had no cell phone or computer they would not be able to find or trace him. He would have been doing it anyway because he is a serial killer crazy person! Thanks Craig’s list for getting him off of the street!
April 22nd, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Craigslist is an excellent site. Meeting a stranger through Craigslist is no different than meeting a stranger elsewhere: Use common sense!
April 22nd, 2009 at 5:49 pm
I was introduced to craigslist several years ago and have used it successfully as a vehicle to rent apartments, sell miscellaneous stuff, find collectibles, met new friends, and even adopted pets which I still have. It is unfortunate that some unscrupulous people are misusing what is a great thing for millions of people to enjoy worldwide.
If I could make any suggestions at all it would be for the craigslist staff to not allow vulgar language in forums and other areas, which is why I do not go there… and to encourage flagging even moreso when someone feels something is not according to craigslist terms.
I love craigslist and will continue to use it on a daily basis.
Thank you craigslist for being the vehicle that helped apprehend a killer that would have used other sites to stake out his victims.
April 22nd, 2009 at 7:45 pm
As a LEGITIMATE and LICENSED massage therapist I am sick of craigslist allowing erotic services to be listed and advertised. The board of massage therapists in my state does what it can to police the craigslist site, but I think craigslist should too. They say illegal activities will not be tolerated on craigslist yet they include an erotic section because people requested it???? That’s absurd. If people request a ‘pot for sale’ section are you going to put that on there too? Of course people WANT erotic services, but they are ILLEGAL and they hurt the livelihood and respectability of LEGITIMATE licensed professionals who use craigslist to advertise. I love craigslist as much as the others who posted above, I met my boyfriend on there, I found 2 jobs on there, and have bought and sold many services and products. I use it daily. But if they say illegal activities will not be tolerated, they need to remove the illegal sections and police their own site.
I agree with the folks above that this crime is not craigslist fault. This nut case would have performed his evil whether craigslist existed or not. Craigslist does not cause crime. However, if craigslist doesn’t want to be involved in these heinous crimes, they need to eliminate the illegal section(s) on their site. Erotic services is obviously illegal. Just get rid of it! The spokesperson for craigslist said that it is stupid to commit crime using the site because there is an electronic link to you and you’ll get caught. How are these criminals going to get caught if no one is policing the site???? Why are there prostitutes advertising every day on this site and not getting caught??? The things he says do not make sense. I love craigslist and use it a ton, just like the others who wrote above, but I think craigslist is being hypocritical by saying they won’t tolerate crime or using craigslist for crime. By having an erotic services section, they are ENCOURAGING crime to be committed using craigslist - no, not murder, but prostitution.
April 23rd, 2009 at 1:15 am
There are always opportunists waiting to exploit someone. If what they says is true about the motives of this robber/suspected killler then that was the case here also. These women put themselves in compromising positions with a stranger………..not much CL could have done to help them at that point. I have answered ads on CL for labor positions and met some very nice people, but I also have weeded out a few strange ones along the way. I think it’s just common sense. I’m sure there are numerous inceidents that occur with alot of these people that never get reported because of the nature of the interactions. That said, CL should probably remove the erotic services section as it is gives CL a bad name when there are a lot of good people on here making legal, legitimate transactions.
April 23rd, 2009 at 5:51 pm
I would never meet a stranger in a closed place alone that is been crazy, I made one purchase off cl and I gave my info got their info , had a friend go with me and did in in the daytime, putting oneslf in a compromising position spells trouble
April 24th, 2009 at 8:16 am
I agree completely with the majority opinion here. Craigslist should have no fault whatsoever. The one comment I found interesting was the one of the “LISCENSED” massage therapist. The erotic section may have its faults and be abused more than other categories, and probably needs to be cleaned up, but it definitely does not need to be axed. I personally know people of differing lifestyles than my own who have used that section the right way: two willing adults meet and possibly have sex. How is that prostitution? Anyway Craigslist, thank you for my car, apartment, two previous jobs, multitudes of concert tickets, and much more.
April 24th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
This guy said he wanted to see what it felt like to kill someone??!!! What is that all about??! I might want to see what it feels like to fly like a bird, but I’ll be darned if that impulse is strong enough to cause me to risk my life by leaping off a rooftop, and trying! He is plain nuts! Did anyone ever notice any bizarre behavior by this guy prior to his killing this young lady? One does not, suddenly, become a psychopath—do they? There must have been some kind of indication that he had behavioral problems, or was he that good at keeping his dark side hidden? Scary. I do not feel Craig’s List should be held responsible for not being aware of everyone who post on the website or of their intent. How are any of us to know who can or can not be trusted, even within our own circle of friends, but to trust a complete stranger right off is plain dumb. When meeting anyone for the first time, before getting to know them well, take a couple of people with you, and meet in a very public place!
April 25th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
I say take the erotic personals off of Craigslist. Innocent women have been murdered. This is a horrible situation and it’s great that these murderers are off of the street.
April 25th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Most of those calling for cancelling theErotic Services section miss two major points. First, it is not the Prostitutes for Hire section, it is Erotic Services. There are many things listed there including online stripping, sexually oriented phone calls, sexual products for sale and other services which as far as I know are perfectly legal. Why should this be banned? Second, as has been demonstated for innumerable years it is impossible to “stop” prostitution or the advertising thereof. Were “erotic Services” cancelled those now advertising there would doubtless move to some other section of CL to ply their services acomplishing nothing more than adding misery to those on the hijacked site. In conclusion, just leave things as they are and flag the inappropriate posts vigorously as is our duty as CL users.
April 25th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Watching 48 Hours Mystery about this story; they’re making calls to posters on Craigslist. Who in their right mind would use Craigslist for Erotic Services after all of this? Or anything illegal for that matter. You’re certain to get busted now for anything illegal that occurs as a result of Craigslist. If the site isn’t being shut down, then it’s probably because it is now being used as a tool by law enforcement for monitoring criminal activity.
April 26th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
While I am saddened by the murder of an innocent female who facilitated Craigslist, politically I am very pleased to see “blame or shut down craigslist” crowd.
Though it is in no way that the murder of this female victim Craigslist’s fault, it is definitely entertaining and enjoyable to see the dominate left wing Craigslist users defend the website.
Left wing Craigslist users will never demand Craigslist to be shut down because of this murder, yet they always demand the bannishment of firearm as a method to reduce murder.
irony & mental retardation much?
May 3rd, 2009 at 7:29 pm
I agree with Justin above. They scream Take all the guns away but don’t take our immoral erotic sexual practices “online stripping, sexually oriented phone calls, sexual products for sale and other services” as one guy stated. God forbid they should have to do without those things. But who needs a gun anyway? Maybe they could defend themselves with their sexual products. Worst thing about that is most of them are probably married and the wifey (or hubby) doesn’t have a clue.
May 7th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Justin and Amy:
Craigslist is no more or less to blame for a murder than a handgun is, yet handguns *can* be used to kill someone, and in fact they are used that way, every day all across the US (not to mention around the world). Please oh please try to make the argument that eliminating handguns won’t reduce the incidence of handgun related murders in our country, I’d love to have the chance to shoot down that argument.