SAN JOSE - Most local law enforcement agencies in California refused to release crime information to the public, as required by state law, during an audit last month, according to a new report.
In the Dec. 4 audit, reporters from various news organizations anonymously visited 216 law enforcement agencies to see how they treat citizens seeking information on sexual assaults, armed robberies and burglaries in their neighborhoods. The study was coordinated by Californians Aware, a Sacramento-based group that advocates for transparent government and records access.
The audit found that two-thirds of the agencies earned the lowest grade for failing to provide information on recent crimes, arrests and the police chief's economic interests. In some cases, auditors said agency employees laughed at them or told them they weren't entitled to the information.
The audit shows that members of the public "have a much tougher time" than journalists in obtaining information from police, said Tom Newton, general counsel for the California Newspaper Publishers Association.
The Public Records Act clearly "requires agencies to help the public" obtain records, Newton said, but in most cases that didn't happen. While reporters can call an agency's media representative directly, the public often runs into long lines, indifferent service and closed information desks.
Police departments in Dixon, Paso Robles and San Rafael were the only agencies to receive the highest grade. Police in Campbell, Los Gatos-Monte Sereno, Palo Alto, San Jose and Santa Clara received failing grades.
About 13 percent of the agencies refused to accept a written request for information despite a state law that requires them to do so.
Some agencies took issue with how the audit was conducted and how scores were tallied, but law enforcement leaders insisted that providing the public with information was a priority.
"We strive to follow the law," said Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Chief Scott Seaman, who is the chair of the Santa Clara County Police Chiefs' Association. "We are aware of public records requirements, and so are our staffs."
