Last Wednesday's raid on the Long Haul Infoshop on Shattuck Avenue not only left the radical grassroots community center short a few computers but also left the neighbors with many questions. The answers may not be revealed until a later time, but what's important is to ensure that they are eventually revealed. In the end, it's better to err on the side of openness.

Understandably, the exact reasons for the actions taken by UCPD and the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force remain unknown at this time for the sake of the investigation. So far, the extent of our knowledge can be summed up in the following: Threatening e-mails were sent to staff on the UC Berkeley campus from the locale, leading to the search and confiscation of the computers and memory cards. Indeed, having questions is justified.

Details should be disclosed as soon as possible. It's common for a case like this to be locked up in a drawer forever, and we encourage officials to release more information to the public once it's appropriate. Otherwise, they risk confirming accusations and criticisms already brewing around their preemptive action.

Admittedly, for champions of the Bill of Rights who are concerned about infringements on the freedom of speech and on privacy, the questionable warrant obtained for the seizure doesn't settle any worries. Although their apprehensiveness remains reasonable to a degree, faith should be placed in procedural due process. Only information obtained from the computers and data storing devices that pertain to the matter at hand should be viewed anyway.

For the time being, the no-nonsense efforts of UCPD and the FBI to look out for everyone's safety are commendable. But until the specifics of the incident are revealed, we can only hope the raid had to happen in the name of protection of the community.