Scary Moment for Kansas Reporter
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KNST (Topeka) Reporter Gretchen Koenen feared for her life after doing a Facebook live.
Once again, it's the story of a station sending out a single MMJ at night to do a live reporter by themselves.
As Koenen wrapped up her live shot for the Nexstar station, she then started up a Facebook live to talk more about the story that she just covered, because.... you know.... that's what is expected Reporters nowadays.
During her FB live a strange man came up to her and started asking questions and circling around her.
Koenen was scared but tried not to let it show.
She picks up the story in a Facebook post about what happened:
Tonight I was in West Topeka doing a live report. I was alone as I am nearly every night.
I stayed after my story to doa FB live and during that, a man approached me, asked me very strange questions and began circling me for several minutes. He would not leave.
I was absolutely terrified but didn’t want to show it. Truthfully, I was scared to turn off the live feed because I felt a sense of security knowing people were watching.
Those watching immediately began to show their concern.
My coworkers were texting me, telling me to leave as soon as possible. Our anchor called me during the newscast as many of you heard during the Facebook live.
I was told a Topeka Police Department was on the way and would be there any minute.
No one ever came.
I grabbed all my equipment and began jogging to my car as quickly as I could.
The man followed me, quickly. I could feel him right behind me the whole time.
I got in my car and drove off immediately.
I am disappointed. Disappointed that the very police department that I defend and work side-by-side with never showed up for me. My coworkers said a call never even went across the scanner.
To those who reached out to make sure I was okay, thank you.
To my coworkers who stand in my shoeseveryday and stood up for me tonight, thank you.
She then posted an update to her post:
UPDATE: I am overwhelmed. I cannot say thank you enough for the support everyone has shown today, including those at the Topeka Police Department. According to the officer I spoke with, Dispatch received the call at 10:22. It was put into the system in 44 seconds as a non-emergency welfare check. At that point, it was in the system waiting to be assigned, but no one was assigned by the time I had driven off.
We are here for you, the community and want to keep doing our jobs to keep you safe, but also having our safety as a priority as well. Thank you again for the support as we continue to strive to be a better and safer community.
Luckily for Koenen, nothing happened and she got out of the situation safely. But, the idea that TV stations will send single MMJ's out to do a live shot by themselves at night is absolutely wrong.
If you are asked to go to an area that you are no comfortable in by yourself, say "NO!"
TV stations use MMJ's to save money and do news on the cheap, but it is that worth an employee being raped or killed?
Maybe you shouldn't answer that.... I know how much you all care about money.
As for you MMJ's demand a second person on these types of live shots. The story isn't worth dying for and your company needs step up and protect you.
If they don't? Email us your stories, we will continue to hammer home this issue until stations start putting their employee's safety ahead of their pocketbooks.
As for Gretchen Koenen? We're glad your safe and don't be as upset with the police, be upset with your boss, your station and owner Nexstar. You should have never been in that position to begin with.
