SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — A closely watched bill by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles), which would ensure that crimes committed on college campuses are properly reported and investigated, passed the Assembly today by a vote of 74-0. The legislation, AB 1433, would require colleges to report certain violent crimes (like sexual assault and hate crimes), occurring on or near campus, to local law enforcement, unless the victim requests anonymity.
Current law regarding the sharing of campus-crime reports and investigations is muddled. The only way for concerned students, parents, or media to get these crime statistics is within a university’s once a year “Clery Act” report, which is based on federal law. There is no simple or timely way for local police (who keep almost all crime stats) to analyze it, or to participate in the investigation of the crimes.
The legislation comes after several California colleges have been accused of covering up on-campus sexual assaults because of concerns that higher crime statistics would lead prospective students to choose elsewhere. The lack of clear laws regarding immediate campus-crime reporting, and unwillingness of campus officials to involve proper law-enforcement professionals, greatly diminishes the chance that a perpetrator is apprehended. This, of course, can allow a perpetrator to strike again.
“Victims of crime should not see their chances of justice hurt, nor should perpetrators be allowed to victimize others, because a school values its public image more than victims’ rights,” said Gatto. “Simple communication between campus officials and local law enforcement will ensure greater community awareness and increased public safety.”
Gatto has been proactive in responding to community feedback to the legislation and even amended the bill to reflect suggestions that the legislation could also provide protections for people that are falsely accused of committing crimes on college campuses.
“Crimes that occur on campus should not be treated any differently than those that occur elsewhere in our community,” said Assemblyman Gatto. “California law needs to make sure that college administrators involve our law-enforcement experts to investigate these most serious crimes.”
Mike Gatto is the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee in the California State Assembly. He represents Burbank, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Atwater Village, East Hollywood, Franklin Hills, Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz, and Silver Lake.
