[105]MTSU crime log online

Sept. 18, 2008
CONTACT: Buddy Peaster, 615-898-2424
Tom Tozer, 615-898-2919

MURFREESBORO—Beginning next week (Sept. 22), the Middle Tennessee State University Police crime log will be posted and available online for anyone to access, all in an effort to continue to comply with recent legislation on the disclosure of information as well as to respond to the public’s right to know. Rather than having to go in person to police headquarters on campus, anyone who has Internet access will be able to print out a hard copy of the crime log.
“We really are committed to the idea that the community needs to know about incidents that occur on campus,” said MTSU Police Chief Buddy Peaster. “People need to be informed and make crime prevention part of their daily lives. All of us need to be more aware of what’s happening around us and implement crime-safety procedures.”
A crime log includes a general description of the incident, the date and time it occurred, where it happened and the disposition of the incident, whether it’s closed or still open, Peaster noted. The chief added that he hopes to include a case number.
“We want to go above and beyond what’s required and also include traffic stops and other infractions that are not considered criminal offenses,” Peaster said. “Anyone who has access to the Internet will be able to access this information. If you don’t have a computer, you can come to the police headquarters and we’ll provide computer access. It’s free of charge.”
Peaster added that as early as the spring 2009 semester, he hopes also to make basic police reports available online. Information will be accessible to anyone, including students, faculty and the media. Information that is released will remain within the parameters of what the law requires to be shared as well as what the law prohibits from being released, the latter including such information as birth date and Social Security and driver’s license numbers. Information on juveniles will not be disclosed.
To access the MTSU Police Web site, go to http://police.mtsu.edu.

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