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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 18, 2007)
MAY 1g, ¡'M JUStjOUtH northwest _l---------- Dalton's Law MISSING PERSON Life-saving legislation born of tragedy by Malka Geffen ROBERTSON. DALTON LEE | he Oregon House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 3176, also known as Dalton’s Law, May 8. If passed by the Senate and signed by the governor, it would require that telematics service providers give vehicle location information to law enforcement when lives are in danger. The legislation is named for Dalton Robertson, a 42-year-old gay man who went missing in his new Lincoln Aviator in September 2005. The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Donna Nelson, R-McMinnville, is mother to J Graigory, a friend of the late Robertson. According to Graigory, who is also gay, his friend was a highly regarded interior designer for the Hollywood elite. Graigory, a production co ordinator, met Robertson five years ago in Los Angeles and considers him a close friend and mentor. “Dalton was a very funny guy and a big supporter of Aid for AIDS and other worthwhile nonprofit organizations,” he said. According to Graigory, Robertson was diag nosed with depression shortly before he dis appeared. Fearing he was a danger to himself, Graigory said Robertson’s roommates filed a miss ing person’s report when Robertson did not show up for a weekend gathering in Palm Springs, Calif. His new car was equipped with a Lojack tracking system meant to lead police to the vehicle if it were stolen. This gave friends and family hope that law enforcement officials could locate Robertson; however, the manufacturer, according to Graigory, refused to provide the car’s location despite police requests and family pleas. “His mother asked, his partner asked, the sher iff asked, and they said no—only the owner of the vehicle could get the information. They said, ‘Find him and then he can call us and we’ll find the vehicle.’ Dalton was found on the fifth day and, based on the coroner’s report, he died that morn ing,” said Graigory. Graigory said that Dalton’s Law is about time. Similar to the golden hour after which the ability to save a person’s life drops dramatically, there is a race against time when trying to locate a missing person. “We sat for five days knowing we could find him immediately. Everybody knew it, and that made us so angry and hurt...it was truly horrific,” he said. “If this bill existed, we could have found out within an hour. But it’s no longer about Dalton; it’s about the next AMBER [America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response] Alert or person who’s driven off a remote road like [James and Kati Kim] or a grandmother with Alzheimer’s—their lives will be saved. When the first person’s life is saved...it won’t bring balance to this situation, it will just bring justice.” Opposition to this bill is framed in a concern for privacy rights. But Nelson’s office worked to revise the bill with the American Civil Liberties Union, the MW/42 AKA Lee' Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and others to protect dothmg worn unknown individual rights. The revised bill states that law enforcement may request vehicle location informa FCN •Zli’OSl’filKXXJUH NCIC »M135ÄMW05 tion from a telematics service provider once they have obtained a search warrant, have received Detectives from the Los Angeles County Shentf s Department are seeking the public s consent from the vehicle’s owner assistance in locating the above missing person or have reasonable grounds to The missing person. Dalton Robertson lives on North Huntley Drive, West Hollywood He was last seen at 12.00 p.m.. on Friday. September 23". 2009. leaving work, m the believe a life-threatening emer 8000 block ot Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood Ho » driving the abovo described vehicle. He was recently diagnosed with depression. gency exists. Among the many supporters of the bill are the Dalton Robertson disappeared in his new car equipped with an Oregon State Police Officers anti-theft vehicle locator device. Association and the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association as well as John Walsh, host of Dalton," said Nelson. “It may come too late for the television program Americas Most Wanted. Dalton, but it could come just in time for an Graigory said it feels good to he working on rhe abducted child, a missing person or the victim of same side as his mother on legislation. “The last a carjacking.” time I testified before the House Judiciary According to Graigory, the issue missed the Committee, Mom and 1 were on opposite sides of California Legislature’s deadline, but he is looking Senate Bill 1000,” said Graigory, who added that to Oregon for the opportunity to start the ball Nelson did not testify in 2005 but voted against the rolling. "My hope is if the bill passes and is signed bill. “This time, we sat together at the table for the by the governor, it will lead to other states saying same cause—it was really moving. We may disagree this is a common-sense law we need,” he said. on big issues, but saving lives is important to both Dalton’s Law now moves on to the Oregon of us.” Senate for further consideration. Graigory encour Graigory said he is also glad Nelson pledged her ages people to support the bill by contacting their support to Robertson’s mother, Ann. “I am so proud legislators and e-mailing Nelson’s office at to sponsor this bill in honor of my late friend rep.donnanelson@state.or.us. Live in the Pearl District’s newest landmark I <• I < 4. / 7 4.* i ..»»JA" / 7 / K t- * thewyatt.com New one bedroom floor plans available View model homes during our Sunday building tours Lofts, condominiums, townhomes, and penthouses Showroom: 1001 NW 14th Avenue 503-223-2255 10-6 Mon-Fn. 12-4 Sat Sun Condominiums ©xc us-.vety marketed by Pead R^at Estate LLC J I I
