Destroying Records

In the Introduction in Archives class we learned how to properly de-accession and destroy old records. The Records Management class re-iterated the standards set in place. These standards are placed on retention schedules to be followed by all departments in any business. There are those, however, who do not follow these rules and just dump their records out like regular trash. While doing a Dayton Daily News research request for the Archives, I ran across and article dated October 6, 1979 talking about old records found at a local dump. These records were the car title and welfare department records

They were found in Warren County, so there was a bit of confusion of why Montgomery county records were even in a different county to be disposed of. These documents were found by the Montgomery County Sherriff at the time, Roger Goertemiller. He contacted the county clerks office, who advised him the titles would be useless since they were filled out before 1970. This shocked him since anyone could use these titles to steal vehicles. He then asked the county about the welfare records. Dixie Yoon, Human Services Director at this time said they should be been incinerated. These documents contain the names of children getting benefits.

The reason I bring up this article from over 30 years ago is this has happened once again, only this time in a different county. This time they are records from the Community Mercy Health Partners. The records were found by a Springfield citizen who was dropping off recycling at the recycling center. He came across a plastic tub and found laboratory results in it. Two more tubs were found in another dumpster. These files contained the unblacked out social security numbers and other personal data of patients. The business may be fined for not properly disposing of confidential records. http://www.whio.com/news/news/local/private-patient-records-found-dumped-in-springfiel/npgz5/

Both of these instances show how important it is to properly dispose of unneeded records. I do this at hime, shredding those documents were contain finances and personal information.