Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) - With the passage of Marsy’s Law, the Sioux Falls Police Department will change what information is provided to the public and media. After evaluating the different aspects of Marsy’s Law and under the advice of the City Attorney’s Office, some of the information that was once available will now be withheld to protect victims.
On November 8, South Dakota voters endorsed Marsy’s Law, or Constitutional Amendment S. This particular section of Marsy’s Law will change what information is released:
The right to prevent the disclosure of information or records that could be used to locate or harass the victim or the victim’s family, or which could disclose confidential or privileged information about the victim, and to be notified of any request for such information or records;
“Protecting victims has always been and will continue to be a priority for the Sioux Falls Police Department,” says Police Chief Matt Burns. “We will follow the South Dakota Constitution and other laws and continue to evaluate any future changes.”
Effective immediately, Sioux Falls Police are no longer able to provide the name or specific address of a business or residence where a crime has taken place. Addresses will be removed from the daily and 30-day call logs and replaced with a specific police district beat where the call occurred.
In the past, business names and addresses often were released in relation to a specific crime, either during police briefing or through a news release. A 30-day call log has been maintained for the public at www.siouxfalls.org/police. That call log listed the address and call type for all police responses. The call log now will list district beats, which is a more general location.