Well said! It's such a shame to think this woman didn't have any other options... She thought that standing in front of a moving train would be the answer. Maybe. But not for the people she left behind.

To Ms. Sweeney's family: Sending you our regrets and thoughts during this incredibly difficult time. We are so sorry......

What a tragedy. Didn't know her, but feel so sad that she reached this point in her life and felt this was her best option (assuming it was a suicide).

What a shame you posted the victim's name. I learned from some of the best journalists that have ever written in New Jersey that you never sensationalize or cause pain for a victim's family needlessly. If the victim had been someone of importance, I understand the need, but this is just a poor victim. You should be ashamed of yourself for causing her family more pain in their time of sorrow. Very disappointed..

It is valid news to publish the name. Most news outlets will be doing that.

But this is a crazy thing to add to the article because it is irrelevant:

"The area of the tracks west of the platform at the Short Hills Station does not have a fence, and residents and those familiar with the station say it is dangerous because people can get to it and often cross the tracks there, especially if they are running late for a train.

"I see it all the time," said Ahmed Okasha, who drives a black car, parks at the station most mornings before 6 a.m. and saw police working the investigation Tuesday. "Something should be done about that because it's so dangerous. People should not be able to get there or to cross there."

I would never cross the tracks as a short cut but the people who do have plenty of slight lines and are crossing quickly. I do not see using that location to cross as particularly dangerous. But it is irrelevant any way since this person apparently did not move so you are talking apples and oranges.

No you are wrong, most don’t print the names (under most circumstances), including the Star-Ledger and New York Times. I am all for real news coverage, but this shows no class. This is not a 2nd Amendment debate, it is one of compassion.... Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should. In the old days the Item, Star Ledger, Ind. Press never would needlessly hurt people. There is no valet news reason to publish the name. This was very hurtful to an all ready troubled family. Millburn-Short Hills used to care about their neighbors, publishing names like this show poor judgement. I am not happy with the Patch

Mark DMS I think you are mistaken. The Star-Ledgers New Jersey online and the Star Ledger today didn’t publish the names. I agree there is no need to publish the name and it shows no class. Also I a agree that this is not a 1st Amendment right, but one of compassion. How about we start to care about our neighbors and friends and not try to be hurtful?
Let’s see if the Item and Independent follow the Star-Ledger’s excellent lead or the Patch.
Compassion is for everyone. Using MarkDS rational we should publish the name of the engineer. We should ask questions like was he/she qualified and able to stop the train? Of course this is all crazy, my point is don’t let the thirst for news make us loose our humanity. We should care about those left behind. The story could be told without the name of the victim.

I agree Millburn Patch should be ashamed and showed poor judgement.

Guys:

Two things:

1) Imagine if this was your family member--and underneath this terrible story outlining her tragedy, this was the discussion to ensue....

2) A community member has died--under terrible circumstances. The same way that the HS teacher's name was published--this is sort of the same thing. I wanted to know the name--I wanted to know if I should be dropping off flowers at her home, or at the site where she died. I don't know her personally, but knowing her name gave me someone to pray for by name...... I am still unclear if there is a family left behind to support--or if there is anything we can do to be helpful. I do know that bickering like a bunch of kids about who is more wrong is beneath this community. Isnt't it?

Interesting point you make about flowers and all, I know your heart is in the right place. But, I personally agree the name shouldn’t be published and if the family wants it out there, they can release it. The teacher in the high school is apples and oranges. One was a medical emergency and the other an apparent suicide.
As for NJ Online, they didn’t update their story. I think it is over for them. Also the Star Ledger never even printed a story about it today. This is a private matter, I agree no name should have been published.

You know MarkDS you last comment doesn't even warrant a reply. You are not a good person. Keep hiding behind a computer..

I think everyone involved deserves our compassion. This poor woman was not in her right mind and the train crew will no doubt suffer on-going trauma. It's tremendously sad.

Although I AM curious: any lawyers out there? What are the laws (or precedents) for printing a victim's name? I know in the case of sexual assault, they never do. I assume the Patch printed it since it is a matter of local interest.

It is perfectly legal, even juveniles names and victims of sexual assault. It is law enforcement that can’t release the names, but if the media outlet gets them, they can use their own good or not so good judgment (as Patch did in this case).

Thanks for the answer! It is obviously legal, but is it the norm? There was a murder-suicide some years back and I cannot remember if the local papers (Patch didn't exist then) printed the names. Of course, everyone knew who it was anyway.

In most cases of suicide, we do not publish a name and don't usually report the story. However, when it is done in public, we report the story including the name. I added the information about the station and the fence for a couple of reasons -- 1. it is a concern of some people in the area that the tracks there are that easily accessible and that people do cross them, and 2. the case is still under investigation.

Laura:

What is this like your first suicide story for the Patch? Please don’t make it sound like you are some seasoned Patch Journalist. Follow the lead of the other media outlets and show some compassion. There was no need for this and the Patch has never done this in the past. I hate to compare you to Jen, but she wouldn’t have done this. Please learn from this and stop trying to justify it.

You seem like a nice lady, but have a lot to learn.

Longtime Millburn and other pseudonym-posters: If you want to criticize, please post your names.

The Patch is not a coffee klatsch for bored housewives and stay-at-home dads; it is a local news service and the name of the victim is of public record.

You may prefer that the Patch not publish, but that is your opinion and anonymous ad hominem attacks are undeserved and cowardly.

The NY Times does indeed publish the names of those who commit suicide as they did in 2003 when "Richard A. Josephs, 53, of Short Hills" stepped in front of a train near the Short Hills station. Yes, he was under investigation for the murder of his son, but "innocent until proven guilty" and all that. Google it.

Also search NJ.com and NorthJersey.com (online home of The Item) and you will see that both routinely publish the names of those who commit suicide, even when a minor.

This is much ado about nothing and Laura is owed an apology.

I for one think the Patch is wrong to publish the name of the victim. Of course the New York Times published the name in 2003, the guy had just killed his son. Other than that I doubt there is any other suicide that has taken place in Millburn where the newspapers published the name. Can anyone find one??

If the suicide occurs in public, affecting thousands, it is newsworthy and the name should be published. My guess is that most suicides are accomplished indoors or so as not to impact so many others, and thus, are not newsworthy and do not get reported on at all. The appropriate question is not to find another suicide in Millburn where the name was published, but rather to find another suicide in Millburn that was even worthy of reporting.

NJ.com does post names of suicide victims in public - just not this victim.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/09/husband_takes_his_own_life_aft.html

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/nj_transit_identifies_man_kill.html
http://www.nj.com/news/local/index.ssf/2009/10/nj_transit_identifies_man_kill.html
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/03/_trespess_wasnt_at.html

and here's one in Millburn: http://1stnews.org/141/short-hills-mall-shooting/

Here you go Headley: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/01/nyregion/a-man-and-his-young-son-are-dead-and-a-rich-suburb-is-stunned.html

To Matt Stewart-I am commenting on this article to avoid aggravating those who are trying to discuss actual issues pertaining to the BOE article, although I had no interest in participating in this dialogue here. For the record, I do not "dislike you", as you said in your post, but I do find your "polemics" of which you keep referring, to negate your point on all subjects for me, no matter how much I might actually agree with you. Also for the record, I think MarkDS's comments about suicide are also uncalled for and certainly a sad place to have posted his opinions, for which he has every right to have, no matter how much I disagree with them. For those who might be suffering from depression (I'm not making claims that this was the case here), as one who has, please don't let these negative comments push you to a level of hopelessness. And Matt, please remember that you do not know who you are speaking to, even those who give their names, and your contentious approach to someone online could take an unintended toll on someone going through a hard time. That's why these boards are best kept to the issues and not personal attacks. Just friendly advice from a neighbor hoping for renewed civility amongst ALL neighbors. Peace be with you, Barbara and with your family.