This is How It is Done
/KCBS/KCAL (LA) Photographer John Schreiber shows you how to dig up a story and how to tell that story on social media.
This thread by Schreiber should absolutely be a lesson in storytelling, process writing, follow-ups, human interest, basic curiosity, and awareness.
Instead of focusing on where to take your next selfie, or what song you should dance to, maybe you should try following this LA Photog and learn a few things.
He found the story by following a lead her heard on the scanner and then offered days of follow-ups with new information and photos and videos — all organized in one great Twitter thread.
This is how Journalists should be using social media.
Keep hearing of train burglaries in LA on the scanner so went to #LincolnHeights to see it all. And… there’s looted packages as far as the eye can see. Amazon packages, @UPS boxes, unused Covid tests, fishing lures, epi pens. Cargo containers left busted open on trains. @CBSLA pic.twitter.com/JvNF4UVy2K
— John Schreiber (@johnschreiber) January 13, 2022
I’m told by law enforcement these @UPS bags are especially sought after by thieves opening cargo containers… they are often full of boxes with merchandise bound for residential addresses. More valuable than say, a cargo container full of low value bulky items like toilet paper. pic.twitter.com/Tj5bQNIeby
— John Schreiber (@johnschreiber) January 13, 2022
This opened package from @REI destined for Bainbridge Island, WA was taken off a train. Typing in the @UPS tracking # and it obviously lists it as “delayed.” We found lots of opened packages bound for the Northwest along this section of tracks. pic.twitter.com/dO82QoJhTT
— John Schreiber (@johnschreiber) January 13, 2022
As you can see, trains frequently slow or stop in this area as they get worked into the @UnionPacific Intermodal facility near Downtown LA. The thieves use this opportunity to break open containers and take what’s inside. I’d say every 4th or 5th rail car had opened containers. pic.twitter.com/PHpujyB84M
— John Schreiber (@johnschreiber) January 13, 2022
See the full thread here.
