Archive for Sunday, March 1, 2009
Behind the numbers of this series
March 1, 2009
Advertisement
For the past two months, the Lawrence Journal-World and 6News have been seeking to compile data to provide our audience a more accurate picture of trends related to sexual assaults in our community.
It started with a public records request to the Lawrence Police Department for five years’ worth of information detailing sexual assaults. We assured the police — in accordance with company policy — that no information would be reported that could identify victims.
We believed the data should be available under the Kansas Open Records Act.
The request was denied. The police department cited Kansas Statute 45-221, which states reports don’t have to be released if they identify the victim of a sex crime, involve a case still under prosecution or appeal, contain information on confidential investigative techniques, or are not in the public interest.
While we agreed the statute could apply to some of the reports, we maintained it would affect only a minority of them.
Meanwhile, we contacted the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, which releases an annual report of crime in Kansas, including sexual assault. The statistics are supplied annually by law enforcement agencies, including the Lawrence Police Department. The KBI immediately provided, at our request, specific data on the demographics of victims and assailants and where the assaults occurred.
Talks continued with Lawrence police, and after several weeks of e-mails, phone conversations and discussions with them and the city attorney, a compromise of sorts was struck.
For $400, we could receive the date, time and location of the offense. The location was narrowed down to the 100 block of city streets, so as not to identify the victim.
Statistics from the KBI and the Lawrence Police Department were used for this special report.
More like this
- Reported rapes hit six-year high 9 comments / November 23, 2009
- Law enforcement lagging on reports, analysis of crime January 6, 2002
- Crime stats stagnant despite city growth January 6, 2002
- Computer problems slow timely analysis of crime January 21, 2002
- Computer problems slow timely analysis of crime January 21, 2002
Top ads RSS
- Blog: Song Titles And Lyrics: All About Giving Thanks November 23, 2009 · 40 comments
- Dennis Moore won't seek re-election in 2010 November 23, 2009 · 38 comments
- Blog: Oprah And Palin - Role Swapping? November 23, 2009 · 10 comments
- Blog: Stripper Blog: Saturday Night At The East Lawrence Ballet November 23, 2009 · 15 comments
- On the street: What is the touchiest subject between you and your in-laws? November 23, 2009 · 30 comments
- Analyst: Tax cuts rob many to pay few November 23, 2009 · 25 comments
- Probe timing curious November 23, 2009 · 21 comments
- Blog: Going Rogue By Sarah Palin November 21, 2009 · 13 comments
- Coach’s antics November 22, 2009 · 19 comments
- No incumbents November 23, 2009 · 16 comments
- Bison tours offered at Tallgrass preserve November 23, 2009
- Dennis Moore won't seek re-election in 2010 November 23, 2009
- Shining seas November 23, 2009
- More information on high school reconfiguration sought October 27, 2009
- Probe timing curious November 23, 2009
- Lawrence native a Rhodes Scholar November 23, 2009
- Studies redefine concept of alcoholism November 23, 2009
- LMH reveals makeup of work force November 23, 2009
- Regents fear more cuts mean tuition increases November 23, 2009
- Calendar Girl: Cheer coach master of time management November 23, 2009
Post a comment
Requires free LJWorld.com registration. Register or log in below.
Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.
Post a blog entry
You have to be logged in to blog on LJWorld.com. Please log in or sign up.
Learn more about blogging on LJWorld.com.