posted March 5, 2008
Rep. Bill Dunn (R-Knoxville) has proposed a bill that would create an offense for failing to report or notify law enforcement upon witnessing a crime that resulted in serious bodily injury or death. Mr. Dunn said that the legislation, if passed, will go a long way in ensuring citizens’ safety. The legislation has already unanimously passed the Senate, and is scheduled to be heard in a House subcommittee this week.
"Often, very violent crimes go unreported, and the person who committed the crime gets away with it,” said Rep. Dunn. “Then these violent criminals are on the streets because no one stepped forward.”
In Knoxville, a young couple was carjacked, tortured, and murdered. While several persons witnessed the random act of violence, none reported it. “There must be consequences for not notifying the police when a murder is being witnessed,” stated Mr. Dunn.
Recently, a 14 year-old girl in Rutherford County was allegedly raped on a school bus. The incident caused an outrage within the community, when no one on the bus, including the bus driver, reported what they had seen occur on the bus ride. The girl and her parents eventually reported it to a school resource officer.
“The incident in Rutherford is extremely unfortunate and very tragic. There were multiple witnesses to the crime, none of whom felt compelled to step forward,” added Rep. Dunn. “Hopefully with the passage of this law, they will.”
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