Multnomah DA Agrees W. State AG: ME Must Release Information On Heatwave Deaths; 83 Confirmed
The Multnomah County district attorney on Monday ordered the release of names and addresses of people in the county confirmed to have died from overheating during last month’s heat wave. He said he agrees with the attorney general of Oregon, who on Friday ordered release of all such records statewide.
Oregon’s medical examiners have determined at least 83 cases of death were due to hyperthermia. Additionally, more than 30 other suspected heat deaths remain under investigation. The Oregonian|OregonLive sought the information to independently analyze the circumstances of individual deaths and how the safety net failed so many Oregonians during the extreme weather.
The state medical examiner had denied media requests for those public records, citing state public records laws that makes them exempt from disclosure unless the public’s need for transparency exceeds privacy interests. Similarly, Multnomah County denied parallel requests from The Oregonian|OregonLive, as well as from other news organizations. The Oregonian/OregonLive argued public interest did trump the need for privacy in this instance. It appealed the medical examiner’s denial to the Attorney General’s Office, which agreed public disclosure was warranted.
“Disclosure will help inform the public about the impact of this historic event on affected communities, help the public assess the government’s preparedness and responsiveness, and facilitate the development of appropriate public policies that anticipate future extreme climate events,” the order said. It was signed by Deputy Attorney General Frederick M. Boss.
EDIT
https://www.oregonlive.com/weather/2021/08/multnomah-county-district-attorney-orders-release-of-names-of-people-who-died-in-heat-wave-agreeing-with-oregon-attorney-general.html
= new reply since forum marked as read
