Secrecy: Crime reports should be more open

February 13, 2008

 
 

Secrecy: Crime reports should be more open

Public safety is a basic function of government and one of the most important issues when it comes to citizen involvement.

Yet, information about crimes and the activities of law enforcement is often hidden from the public.

Mississippi's open records laws provide broad exemptions for law enforcement, which can easily be used to withhold vital information from the public.

While many elected county sheriffs and professional police chiefs in the state are open with the media and the public, that openness too often depends solely on the good will and intentions of an individual rather than the law.

Open government should apply to everyone all the time and not be subject to the whims of politics or relationships.

Mississippi especially has issues with the fact that law enforcement agencies routinely do not provide access to crime incident reports.

In one high-profile case in north Mississippi, parents sought information about their son's murder. Even though the assailant committed suicide and the case was closed, agencies denied access because investigative reports are closed under the state Open Records Act. The couple was forced to go to court and seek political remedies. They still do not have all the facts.

Most matters are more routine involving daily crime reports.

Citizens can be and are often denied access to information about where crimes are occurring. If several rapes or robberies are occurring in a specific area, residents may not know if the information is not "released" by officials. This is a basic public safety issue.

Even basic crime statistics can be denied.

There are proposals in the Legislature to open incident reports. Proposals would protect sensitive investigative information, such as witnesses and undercover officers or information that may impede a case, but basic crime information would be disclosed. That is a logical and workable plan.

Citizens seeking to be proactive in the fight against crime need information.

Making law enforcement records more open would better serve all involved - law enforcement personnel and the citizens they are sworn to protect.

 
 

Inserted from <http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080213/OPINION01/802130331&template=printart>