A state employees union is trying to use privacy fears to keep the Daily Oklahoman from being able to find government employees who are sex offenders. The paper requested a database of all state employees, including their name, date of birth, job description, start date, salary, agency, title and job description. Pretty standard for making [...]
Filed under: 6. Overcoming denials, 7. Electronic records | Tagged: Public safety | Leave a Comment »
This morning I talked a little on CNN‘s American Morning show about proposed legislation in some states to make 911 tapes secret (clip). A victim rights person also was on the segment, arguing for the provisions to protect victim privacy. The segment was inspired by a recent Associated Press story on the issue. I made [...]
Filed under: 9. FOI writing & ethics | Tagged: Public safety | 1 Comment »
The Investigative News Network released its first major project, on the lack of punishment by universities against rapists, based on an incredible amount of records gathering, interviews and surveys. They even explain how you can do the same reporting at your local university. The year-long project, conducted by seven different state and regional investigative reporting [...]
Filed under: 1. Records that matter, 2. Doc state of mind, 9. FOI writing & ethics | Tagged: Education, Public safety | Leave a Comment »
A good story today by The Associated Press highlighted the effort underway by some states to close 911 records because of a few media outlets airing distressed callers. I am quoted as saying that it’s important to keep the records open so we can make sure our public safety agencies are working correctly. One government [...]
Filed under: 9. FOI writing & ethics | Tagged: Public safety | Leave a Comment »
The Investigative Reporting Program at UC Berkeley used DUI checkpoint data to discover police and tow-truck companies raking in millions of dollars in seized vehicles from illegal immigrants, according to a Feb. 13 report. Reporter Ryan Gabrielson analyzed checkpoint data, car seizure records, census data and other documents to find law enforcement making big bucks [...]
Filed under: 1. Records that matter, 7. Electronic records | Tagged: Local gov, Public safety | 1 Comment »
