Body Camera Footage and Communications During May 1, 2024, USF Incident
Tracking # |
P761237-051024 |
Submitted | May 9, 2024 |
Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Jordan Lassiter
Florida Highway Patrol
Attention: Public Information Officer
Neil Kirkman Building
2900 Apalachee Parkway
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Subject: Freedom of Information Act Request for Body Camera Footage and Related Communications
Dear Public Information Officer,
Pursuant to the provisions of the Florida Sunshine Law and the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552), I am requesting records pertaining to the law enforcement activities by the Florida Highway Patrol during the public protest on May 1, 2024, part of the Free Palestine and Resistance Movement against Israeli aggression.
Requested Records:
Digital Documents:
Body Camera Footage: Complete recordings from body-worn cameras of all officers involved from the start to the end of their deployment at the protest.
Legal support: ACLU v. Alvarez, 679 F.3d 583 (7th Cir. 2012) affirms the public’s right to record public officials in public settings, which supports the disclosure of body camera footage.
Radio Transmissions: All audio recordings and transcripts of radio communications involving law enforcement personnel during the protest.
Legal support: Scott v. United States, 436 U.S. 128 (1978) indicates the public interest in accessing law enforcement communications for transparency.
Text Communications: All SMS and instant messages sent to and from officers concerning the enforcement activities at the protest.
Legal support: Judicial Watch, Inc. v. U.S. Department of Commerce, 34 F. Supp. 2d 28 (D.D.C. 1998) supports the release of communications to ensure transparency in governmental operations.
Aerial Footage: All video recordings from helicopters, drones, or any other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used during the protest.
Legal support: Electronic Frontier Foundation v. Department of Transportation, 2015 (finding that aerial surveillance footage is subject to disclosure under FOIA to allow public analysis of governmental surveillance practices).
Physical Documents:
Incident Reports and Briefings: All written reports, memos, and briefing documents pertaining to the law enforcement activities during the protest.
Legal support: Department of Justice v. Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, 489 U.S. 749 (1989) supports the disclosure of law enforcement records for public scrutiny.
Operational Plans: Documents detailing the strategies and guidelines used for managing the protest.
Legal support: NLRB v. Robbins Tire & Rubber Co., 437 U.S. 214 (1978) demonstrates the public's right to understand the strategic operations of public authorities.
Legal Precedents and Public Interest Justification:
The requested information is of significant public interest, particularly concerning government operations at public protests and the specific enforcement tactics employed. The release of these records will enhance public understanding and facilitate informed community oversight.
Fees and Document Delivery:
Please inform me of any potential fees associated with the processing of this request. I request a waiver of all fees as this disclosure is primarily in the public interest, contributing substantially to the understanding of government operations and is not for commercial purposes. I prefer to receive the documents electronically, via email or on a CD-ROM if electronic transfer is impractical.
Response Time and Contact:
I anticipate your response within the statutory timeframe prescribed by law. Should you require any clarification or have questions regarding this request, please do not hesitate to contact me at the provided phone number or email address.
Thank you for your attention and cooperation. I look forward to your prompt and thorough handling of this request, as dictated by applicable laws and regulations.
Sincerely,
Jordan Lassiter
From: Florida Highway Patrol
Dear , Thank you for contacting the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. In accordance with § 119.07(1)(c), Fla. Stat., receipt of your public records request is hereby acknowledged. You substantially seek the following records: "I am requesting records pertaining to the law enforcement activities by the Florida Highway Patrol during the public protest on May 1, 2024, part of the Free Palestine and Resistance Movement against Israeli aggression.
Requested Records:
Digital Documents:
Body Camera Footage: Complete recordings from body-worn cameras of all officers involved from the start to the end of their deployment at the protest.
Legal support: ACLU v. Alvarez, 679 F.3d 583 (7th Cir. 2012) affirms the public’s right to record public officials in public settings, which supports the disclosure of body camera footage.
Radio Transmissions: All audio recordings and transcripts of radio communications involving law enforcement personnel during the protest.
Legal support: Scott v. United States, 436 U.S. 128 (1978) indicates the public interest in accessing law enforcement communications for transparency.
Text Communications: All SMS and instant messages sent to and from officers concerning the enforcement activities at the protest.
Legal support: Judicial Watch, Inc. v. U.S. Department of Commerce, 34 F. Supp. 2d 28 (D.D.C. 1998) supports the release of communications to ensure transparency in governmental operations.
Aerial Footage: All video recordings from helicopters, drones, or any other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used during the protest.
Legal support: Electronic Frontier Foundation v. Department of Transportation, 2015 (finding that aerial surveillance footage is subject to disclosure under FOIA to allow public analysis of governmental surveillance practices).
Physical Documents:
Incident Reports and Briefings: All written reports, memos, and briefing documents pertaining to the law enforcement activities during the protest.
Legal support: Department of Justice v. Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, 489 U.S. 749 (1989) supports the disclosure of law enforcement records for public scrutiny.
Operational Plans: Documents detailing the strategies and guidelines used for managing the protest.
Legal support: NLRB v. Robbins Tire & Rubber Co., 437 U.S. 214 (1978) demonstrates the public's right to understand the strategic operations of public authorities.
Legal Precedents and Public Interest Justification:." Your public records request has been assigned Ref. # P761237-051024 for tracking purposes and been referred to the FHP Troop G (Jacksonville Station) for processing. Respectfully yours, Pamela Calvert FHP Regional Communications Centers DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES
DRIVER LICENSE AND MOTOR VEHICLE RECORDS: Records requests are processed without delay; however, due to high volume of requests received in Bureau of Records, please allow two weeks' processing time from date of this message.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Florida Sunshine Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on May 9, 2024. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #P761237-051024.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Florida Highway Patrol
Thank you for contacting the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Unfortunately, you have submitted email to an unmonitored email account. If you are submitting a public records request, please submit to the appropriate email address listed on the . For (https://u8387778.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.VEsWrlMiJDg0mXafq1mEXXSFWWwkjgrr9bMhfkUCsBdcHfh7rS17RTXnQCxxcEDl3j5KL89RZm9ZlvWm7J30og-3D-3DiLGE_zGVXgoVoE0ylyzqEU5zP2IlT6HvgYk8cKb-2BEZ7e8jbQuM7jO8is4hLh7wSTK5DZG5dEMYGQQayqVPtahet5R66N5YOIzZP5VEyTB49XfK39tv0EOV5EVlN1jHVYFin-2FSPJXG26JJqaL8AF696afvw1uInIU9R0VSVRXDZLq4-2B4LZugLZ7Jn2kMJBJGL4ES-2F3rZDUT33YxRsQAisuODNeOOc1Qh5FW9fcfUwp-2Fp3kNZhjSj3d1dcr7LjoC71IiCoT7lvFLhrMg-2B1BfjGtxBz79IjLJF2tvQxaYDPxP46kxcebD57CwpPhb5YW2EQc8IeVjxk24olM-2BgPnehinff4Puel9oMNR4E-2FcuC-2BhK-2FAOKnO5V0vy2iE5RB0883FXdWjXreGbCfoQ70s6Cn6a5wSElg-3D-3D) Open Government page of the Department's website example: Crash Reports
For immediate online access, order from https://www.FloridaCrashPortal.gov For driver license and motor vehicle records: Division of Motorist Services Bureau of Records 2900 Apalachee Pkwy, MS 89 Tallahassee, FL 32399-0500 HSMV-Records@flhsmv.gov 850-617-2702 For FHP investigative reports and other law enforcement records: Florida Highway Patrol
2900 Apalachee Pkwy, MS 44
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0500 FHPRecords@flhsmv.gov 904-359-6581 For all other records, please submit your request to the appropriate email address listed on the Open Government page of the Department's website Respectfully yours, DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES
This is an auto-generated email and has originated from an unmonitored email account. Please DO NOT REPLY.
From: Jordan Lassiter
Subject: Follow-Up on Public Records Request Ref No: P761237-051024
To Whom It May Concern;
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to follow up on my public records request, Ref No: P761237-051024, regarding the law enforcement activities by the Florida Highway Patrol during the public protest on May 1, 2024.
As it has been more than two weeks since your acknowledgment of receipt of my request, I wanted to inquire about the status of the processing. I understand that the Bureau of Records may be experiencing a high volume of requests, and I appreciate your efforts in addressing this matter.
Could you kindly provide me with an update on the progress of my request and an estimated timeline for when I can expect to receive the requested records?
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response.
Sincerely,
Jordan Lassiter
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