(From the Missouri State Highway Patrol)Beginning November 1, 2024, at 3 p.m., the Missouri State Highway Patrol intends to implement 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 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.
The Patrol 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 our 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 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. 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. This decision is further consistent with the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, 18 U.S.C. § 2721.
Ok, so there are people who are using the information to Scam others. Why not go after these Scammers and maintain the information since it should be public information and part of public records?
ReplyDeleteAgain, why do we always cover up the problems, instead of fixing them?
If we want to start protecting the safety and public interest because of the
dissemination of information that identifies a person - Then why does the State of Missouri keep a Public Online Database of Information if I get a Speeding Ticket this Information Stays in the Public Online Domain the Rest of My Life on Case Net. With my Address, City, State, Zip, and Birthdate - How is that Protecting my Personal Information - - You cannot have it Both Ways - -
Why should the State of Missouri use my Tax Dollars to Fund Case Net to give every Tom, Dick, and Harry Access to my Personal Information? Does this seem ASS Backwards - If we want to Protect People's Information - At Least just use their Name - Not their Address or Birthdates - We the Number of Scammers Out their can we at least think about Not Providing them all the Information through State Funded Databases?