Investigation Into the Timeliness of the Death Notification to the Surviving Spouse of a Motor Vehicle Accident Victim, 2005

Report: #05-02 Kirke C. Quinn, Attorney for Jo Anne Holland, first contacted the Ombudsman by letter dated January 2, 2004. Quinn also addressed his letter to the Governor’s Office, Iowa State Patrol (ISP), and Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS). Quinn characterized his letter as a complaint against ISP regarding “the method and manner of reporting the death of Ross Holland to his surviving spouse.” According to Quinn, Mrs. Holland “went through hours of misery as a result of the patrol’s inattention to a tragic situation.” On January 7, 2004, the Ombudsman asked ISP Major Gary Hoskins, Supervisor of Field Operations, how ISP and DPS intended to respond to Mr. Quinn’s letter. Major Hoskins stated he would refer Quinn’s letter of complaint to DPS’ Professional Standards Bureau (PSB) for investigation and response. After speaking with Major Hoskins, the Ombudsman told Mr. Quinn that DPS would do an internal investigation and if he were not satisfied with the results he could contact the Ombudsman again. On March 29, 2004, Mr. Quinn contacted the Ombudsman and stated he was not satisfied with DPS’ response. Quinn stated he would send a copy of the response to the Ombudsman, along with a letter stating his outstanding issues and concerns. In his letter to the Ombudsman, dated May 5, Quinn simply stated: “Please find enclosed [a] copy of the letter received from the Department of Public Safety. We think this is an absolute outrage. We welcome your input.”

Determination of Rumble Strip Effectiveness, HR-184, 1979

Rumble strips are patches of specially treated pavement surfaces which are designed to produce aural and tactile stimuli inside vehicles. The intent is to alert drivers and when desirable, cause them to slow down or come to a stop. Installations were made in a three-county area in Iowa to study rumble strip effectiveness as an accident reducing measure. The investigation of accidents at the various test sites showed that rumble strips were effective in reducing certain types of intersection accidents. Although no statistically significant effect of the saturation use was found on total accidents, there are indications that accidents may be reduced when used in low density i.e., rural type areas.

Johnston, Special Investigation Public Works Department, July 1, 1999 - February 17, 2003

City Audit Report, Special Investigation

Report on Special Investigation of the City of Van Horne, June 01, 2000 - December 31, 2002

City Audit Report, Special Investigation

Special Investigation of the Hardin County Recorder's Office, July 1, 2000 - April 28, 2003

County Audit Report - Special Investigation

Special Investigation of the Johnson County Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities Department, June 30, 2002

County Audit Report - Special Investigation

Report on Special Investigation of the Webster County Sheriff's Office, July 1, 1997 - February 28, 2003

County Audit Report - Special Investigation

Fourth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services - Special Investigation, September 1, 2000 - March 7, 2002

State Agency Audit Report - Special Investigation

Report on Special Investigation of the City of Preston Library, June 14, 1999 - August 25, 2003

City Audit Report - Special Investigation

Special Investigation Anita Municipal Utilities, Anita Iowa, December 30, 2003

City Audit Report - Special Investigation

Report on the Special Investigation of the Nutrition Department of the Boone Community School District, For the Period August 30, 2004 through March 31, 2006 and Selected Activity for the period February 28, 2000 through March 31, 2006

Community School District Audit Report - Special Investigation

Report on Special Investigation of the Parkersburg Economic Development Corporation in Parkersburg Iowa, May 1, 1999 - October 16, 2003

City Audit Report

Peace Officers' Retirement, Accident and Disability System, June 30, 2003

State Agency Audit Report

Report on Special Investigation of the Taylor County Sanitarian's Office, July 29, 2002 through December 31, 2003

County Audit Report - Special Investigation

Special Investigation of the Cass County Sheriff's Office, July 1st, 2001 through February 25, 2004

County Audit Report - Special Investigation