COPS SMELL RODENT AT 'RAT'-OUTING WEB SITE

A North Shore man's Web site that encourages the posting of informants'
identities and personal information about law enforcement officers is
drawing criticism from authorities in Oklahoma.

The "Who's A Rat" site (http://www.whosarat.com) was not put on the
Internet last week to endanger law officers or informants, said founder
Sean Bucci. Instead, it was posted to assist defense attorneys and
defendants with limited resources prepare for trial, he said.

"It's something that's been needed for a long time. I'm trying to level
the playing field," said Bucci, 31, who is fighting marijuana dealing
charges that landed him in jail for almost a year thanks to a "heroin
junkie and crack addict" snitch, whose stories led the DEA to mount
cameras on a pole in front of his house for nine months.

"From that I got a deep, deep hate for the system for the way they handle
informants. It's sick. They take these big fish to catch minnows," said
Bucci, a North Shore resident. "The site was designed as just a tool to
help people." But authorities in Oklahoma are among those questioning the
site's accuracy and calling it irresponsible. Oklahoma City police Capt.
Jeffrey Becker says the site could jeopardize undercover officers and
informants. The service, which is free, also offers listings for defense
attorneys. Bucci warns he has the right to edit or delete any material
that goes beyond free speech. The site boasts it is the first of its kind
and legal based on case law Bucci has posted.

"Keep up the fight and never give in," Bucci tells browsers.