It's especially important to women and 25-34s, since they're much less likely than the rest of the audience to have any specific complaints about local news. Many believe that it would be better for society if more emphasis were placed on the punishment than the crime. It makes people feel as if something is being done to bring closure to the situation. They say it also helps the community and the local Police Department, and makes them feel as if something good is being accomplished. If there's fugitives out there, we need to know it.
Arrests are positive.
We need to see successes, too. While some believe that the sensational, repetitive coverage of crime can actually make it harder to catch criminals, it also impinges on a suspect's right to a fair trial. They didn't stick with the story, and I think if they had, they probably would've gotten a better or more just verdict. Rarely do they show the impact of the crime on the community, or the grief and suffering of the victims. We need to know that something is being done.