Did Suffolk County Police Create A Perfect Atmosphere For Murder?

In the recent episode of the "Hidden Killers" podcast, host Tony
Brueski sat down with psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott to
discuss the deeply troubling culture within law enforcement that
has allowed serial killers, like the accused Rex Heuermann, to
operate freely, exploiting the most vulnerable members of
society. The conversation revolved around the involvement of the
former Suffolk County Police Chief, James Burke, in the sex
industry, and the implications of this involvement for the
community and law enforcement culture as a whole.
 
 Scott stressed the detrimental impact on the community when
victims of sex workers, already operating in an illegal and
therefore precarious environment, don’t feel safe coming forward
due to the involvement of police officials in exploiting them.
“It's really atrocious. I mean, it really is. People like this
don't live in a bubble either. There's obviously more Rex
Heuermann out there, not just in Long Island but throughout the
country,” she said. The atmosphere created by Burke contributed
to a wider culture of mistrust and vulnerability, ultimately
leading to the tragic deaths of many women who might have
otherwise been saved.
 
 She highlighted a particularly shocking incident documented
in a Hulu documentary by TMZ, where a witness who knew one of the
women very well identified the vehicle she went into, and even
recognized Heuermann. Despite reporting it, no one took any
action. This case pointed to a larger, systemic issue that needs
addressing—a complete cultural shift within law enforcement. "We
need to change the people who are in power and revisit how we
interact with the more disempowered people in the community and
how we keep them safe," Scott noted.
 
 Brueski further questioned the reluctance of local
officials to accept help from larger forces like the FBI, despite
their offer to provide resources and assistance in
investigations. This refusal not only indicated interdepartmental
politics and ego clashes but also raised red flags about the
intentions of local officials. Scott cited the case of the Golden
State Killer in California, where local jurisdictions
intentionally chose not to share information with each other,
enabling the killer to commit more crimes across different
communities. "We need to do a better job, and we certainly need
to include the FBI, and everybody needs to get over their egos
and work together," Scott insisted.
 
 The discussion highlighted the urgent need for a change in
law enforcement culture, including greater transparency,
collaboration, and a genuine commitment to protecting the most
vulnerable members of society. Only by addressing these
deep-rooted issues can we hope to prevent further tragedies and
bring justice to the victims of heinous crimes like those
committed by Rex Heuermann.
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