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Nearly 7,000 rape-kits sit on LAPD freezer shelves awaiting testing with at least 217 of those past the statute of limitations, rendering them useless even if a rapist is identified by the DNA collected. "It is beyond disturbing that the thousands of victims who have undergone the invasive ordeal of these 4-6 hour tests do not even know that their evidence is still untested" wrote City Controller Laura Chick in an audit of the police department's rape-kit testing program. "One of the audit's findings calls out a Penal Code provision that requires the LAPD to make this notification to victims; the LAPD does not do that now." The 25-page report can be read here (.pdf).
LAPD Backlog of Rape-Kits is 'Disturbing,' 'Unacceptable'
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Any ideas why the 110 off/on ramps will be shut down for 1 year starting tomorrow from the hours of
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Can Chick DO anything about this, other than writing reports? Reports are a good first step... but cmon.
As Controller, Chick's job is to purely audit and release the results and she can do nothing beyond that. It's up to the people, the media and the city council to put the pressure on the department or office in each audit.
But Chick's reports are an extremely important first step. Well researched information is the backbone of change. So it's up to us to keep an eye on them, the LAPD in this case. Luckily, the rape-kit study was initiated by media reports and Chick's findings help confirm what they were saying. Good chance, this one will be followed by the media. But there are a lots of other audits that have received very little follow-up:
http://www.lacity.org/ctr/audit_reports.htm
This is terrible, I had no idea this was going on.
Thanks for the clarity Zach. And as we see today in the news, something will get done about it now.