IT WILL MEAN LESS SPECIFIC INFO IN NEWS STORIES
Beginning Nov. 1 at 3 p.m., the Missouri State Highway Patrol implemented a change to the preliminary online traffic crash and boat/drowning incident reports in which the names of involved parties will no longer be posted online.
The patrol says it was recently notified of scam incidents across the state targeting motor vehicle crash victims and/or individuals associated with someone who was involved in a crash. These suspects may have used information obtained via public databases, including the patrol’s online reports, to sound credible.
Due to this change by the highway patrol, you’ll notice less specific information in The Landmark’s news stories pertaining to traffic crashes. Generally speaking, names of involved parties will not be immediately available to be reported.
The patrol says it conducts periodic review of all policies, procedures, and general orders. As a result, names of those involved in motor vehicle crashes, boating incidents and drownings will no longer be included in the highway patrol’s preliminary online reporting.
The gender, age, injury type, city/state and other information will continue to be posted. Advancements in technology and social media platforms were a significant consideration in this decision, the highway patrol said in a news release.
“The patrol is entrusted with protecting the safety and public interest of those we serve. The public safety benefit of the dissemination of information that identifies a traffic/boating crash victim, or drowning victim no longer outweighs the risks when the names are disseminated,” according to the highway patrol.
Importantly, all parties who have a legal right to access such information are readily able to do so through the Missouri State Highway Patrol Public Records Center. The highway patrol says this decision is further consistent with the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, 18 U.S.C. § 2721.
In accordance with RSMo 610.100, the procedure for posting preliminary information relating to arrests performed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol will not change.
