Logging Tape Protections Proposed in Calif.

A former Los Angeles police department dispatcher, and current California legislator is proposing that 911 logging tapes involving medical incidents be withheld from the public. Assemblywoman Norma Torres says 911 calls like the one just made by friends of Demi Moore should not be made public, considering the confidential nature of the incidents. Torres is serving her second term in the legislature, and represents parts of Ontario, Pomona, Montclair and Chino in southern California. She spent 18 years with LAPD, was elected to the Pomona city council, and was then inspired to run for state office. “When it comes to medical calls, there ought to be some standards and those standards should apply to 911 calls,” Torres told reporters. Right now, California law only allows certain information to be redacted from logging tapes, including names of juveniles and certain witnesses, and investigative information. Torres has not yet introduced a bill in the legislature, but is seeking support from fellow legislators. Read a newspaper columnist’s opinion of the proposed law, and a newspaper editorial on the subject.