The evils of facebook

Sometimes I honestly wonder how law enforcement can be so incredibly insulting to me without ever actually coming into direct contact with me. Not more than a few minutes ago I received an email from the badgerbeat... a newsletter I am subjected to receiving for using a university email account from the UW police department. The very first order of business reads as follows...

<>Warning About Facebook
A large problem facing law enforcement today is Internet based financial fraud, one aspect of which is “phishing” where suspects obtain personal information like bank account numbers, social security numbers, and credit card information under false pretenses. Law enforcement has invested heavily in prevention strategies to help combat these crimes, attempting to educate consumers on how to safeguard sensitive information <>

Why, Oh Why Facebook?! Legitimate concerns about facebook aside, where college students of all sorts publicly display their addresses, email, phone number, classes, spring & winter break plans, interests, favorites, friends, graduating High School, and current relationship status; I find it funny to note the police alerting us to all of this obvious data-miner's dream... because campus police and school administrators all over the country have begun using Facebook as a tool to bust students. Photos submitted by themselves and their friends are being used as evidence in cases of underage drinking, and for violations such as drinking in dry dorms/campuses. Not only should this stir conflicted feelings about methods and practices of law enforcement; but I would have thought they would have had the decency to mention "Also don't post pictures of your bong or we just might kick your ass out of the dorms."