Crime: Bailey or TL

I'm torn. The Chauncey Bailey case seems so interesting and for lack of a better word... easy. Any story about a fellow journalist being slain is going to be juicy. Plus, most of the footwork is already done for me. However, in the long run a crime story about the Tenderloin would benefit my final story and overall make me a better journalist.

As I have said before, the Tenderloin is full of crime stories that beg reporting. However, my main concern with any TL story will be my access to information.

Some sources from the neighborhood have hinted that the local businesses and drug dealers are in cohoots. According to Delano Seymour, a local historian, local businesses are protected by the drug dealers because they don't want to make their corners "hot" with police presence.

However, such an accusation would be very hard to prove. I mean what business owner would admit to liking the presence of drug dealers in their neighborhood? And even further that they actually sponsor these drug dealers?

Additionally, such an undertaking would require me observing these corners for drug activity. Unfortunately, I may not be the most credible person for the job. I have a pretty good idea of what a drug transaction looks like but I don't have any actual credentials to back this up.

It just seems like an impossible report for a beginning reporter like myself.

Another story idea I have is to report on the accusation from some police officers that drug dealers stand outside of TL drug rehabs to offer drugs to recovering addicts and users. Again, this presents me with problems of access. Who would admit to selling or buying drugs right outside of the place where they are supposed to be recovering. Maybe a nurse or counselor would talk to me about the matter?

If anyone has any suggestions to creative approaches to these stories please let me know.