FBI/DOJ FOIA consult (Austin Police Department)

Dear Emma Best:

Thank you for your interest in the public records of the Austin Police Department. Your request has been received and is being processed. Your request was received in this office on 8/27/2019 and given the reference number R022904-082719 for tracking purposes.
Please be advised that the Austin Police Department’s Central Records Division receives over 2500 requests for information a month. These requests are processed in the order received, and we strive to respond to each request promptly, as required by law.
Please know that, as a result of the large volume of requests received, the anticipated timeframe for responding to your request is approximately 45-60 business days.
You will be contacted about the availability and/or provided with copies of the records requested. PLEASE NOTE: The Texas Public Information Act does not require a governmental body to create new information, to do legal research, or to answer questions.
You can monitor the progress of your request at the link below and you’ll receive an email when your request has been completed. Again, thank you for using the Austin Public Records Center.
Austin Police Department
To monitor the progress or update this request please log into the Austin Texas Public Records Center. (https://u8387778.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/click?upn=xSfKPyHO1-2F4Mny2NCLJVunPB-2BvHzaWW2ag3vzqEpMyIkVnjy4XxefcbM0kZqBFadp4l6Up9BCPMZgGCzIqs8vC-2Fmy-2BmDg8PUpnkbWHSGrVQ-3D_a3y2DLZt-2FhIir6QGKvya6pFj-2Bo-2F06hrRZC7ar-2FvZcSgFSNfUaCQss7GVjRRuXJUkaBAtPSMEtsaNkIEvYkgk-2BkZ4cW1IcPaRoqUmxL8nu89I785vTdeMzf2q3l1VqdQ5G3Ef7WUa2EvBFdpjoFaAOy7kqvkFUmHhleTvraSC7FPUIrb-2FYN1raD5ZoOsU4oTVw3HTMr96FcNTxbrGrSbtFV54PUaHkbr0CvS-2BtN0lmSW0rPk-2Fgou2Ig64guRiXpSWi0pEtuV5RjtfJAB-2FCPp1RpCxkWkh0is4rYsFtWO-2FmjKgfi-2F5o3-2FEWk1hUrSc73d8tCEmHcO-2FocDzNNFihz5vCtXNU1WFhDS28WOx5U36aqRzAJC8-2Ff-2FJIndvmjJu5qUyMjpuWqZDvuC6j2Yb9dCZOw-3D-3D)

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Re: Open Record Request of August 27, 2019, Reference # R022904-082719
Dear Emma Best,
The City of Austin received a Public Information request from you on August 27, 2019, to request copies of records pertaining to the following: “To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

Copies of any emails, letters, memos or other records of consultations regarding public records requests (FOI/FOIL/FOIA etc.) with either the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Agency components.

I am a member of the news media and request classification as such. I have previously written about the government and its activities, with some reaching over 100,000 readers in outlets such as Gizmodo, MuckRock, Motherboard, Property of the People, Unicorn Riot, and The Outline, among others. As such, as I have a reasonable expectation of publication and my editorial and writing skills are well established. In addition, I discuss and comment on the files online and make them available through non-profits such as the library Internet Archive and the journalist non-profit MuckRock, disseminating them to a large audience. While my research is not limited to this, a great deal of it, including this, focuses on the activities and attitudes of the government itself. As such, it is not necessary for me to demonstrate the relevance of this particular subject in advance.

As my primary purpose is to inform about government activities by reporting on it and making the raw data available, I request that fees be waived.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Emma Best

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://accounts.muckrock.com/accounts/login/?url_auth_token=AAAd2938UkMeEtn717RD0056ic4%3A1i2ZCD%3AuucogH9HzF80-4hJXwu7W7bUTYQ&next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.muckrock.com%2Faccounts%2Flogin%2F%3Fnext%3D%252Faccounts%252Fagency_login%252Faustin-police-department-365%252Ffbidoj-foia-consult-austin-police-department-79530%252F%253Femail%253Dmanagement.records%252540austintexas.gov”

Before I'm able to process your request I need some clarification. Are you looking for the requested information for a specific case? and or a specific unit or Chain of Command? The Department works with all of our law enforcement partners and I will not be able to process this request until I'm clear on exactly what you are requesting. Keep in mind we have a department of over 1900 sworn personnel so its important clarification is received in order to complete your request and obtain the information. An example of a clear request is below the Copies of any emails, letters, memos or other records of consultations regarding public records requests (FOI/FOIL/FOIA etc.) with either the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Agency components for a certain incident from the Executive staff. ( Meaning the Chief of Police and Assistant Chiefs. )
I will not be able to process this request until I hear back form you.
Thanks
APD PIO

To monitor the progress or update this request please log into the Austin Public Records Center (https://u8387778.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/click?upn=xSfKPyHO1-2F4Mny2NCLJVut6w4Oise9M-2BmVFFhiA7a9idk-2FHHZvEuE0-2Fb9SDJ3a-2BOcJob2u7PtLKS-2FCFWrhCvwCi7G7OLhL0CZDMdXCUz3wiu-2B4by-2FGzzbneFkfXTjHLa_a3y2DLZt-2FhIir6QGKvya6pFj-2Bo-2F06hrRZC7ar-2FvZcSgFSNfUaCQss7GVjRRuXJUkaBAtPSMEtsaNkIEvYkgk-2BpIngn6iXzZsW3wtKev-2FThnapX7ABHqoTw3cOGjjMjTzLUmDXjlLCOdF91Ww1dpsOOzwEb9bcd0LAe1u89iqi0fdTLajMF5U10KBmCrtB8lO2j8eNXWDd-2BOQFMOGRZ7DMhggkfEkxi-2FQOSrpXofe1oHdn3Vg5W605An9qroT8ic6Bi1O4VSvVaRr6OhsWwExG7j37M1b3Rn7cjGdfIC7JJr3OX7nlwyHKDaNCS-2Ba6Q7axQOHF8T0z5mHyKuyXN7eoA3CjPbKqqFuXikKNhX8iWgBtCTO9bD1diaJNxVzCC3ZfFws5ewrmPVUH1kkUSiT7Q-3D-3D)

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Re: Open Record Request of August 27, 2019, Reference # R022904-082719
Dear Emma Best,
The City of Austin received a Public Information request from you on August 27, 2019, to request copies of records pertaining to the following: “To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

Copies of any emails, letters, memos or other records of consultations regarding public records requests (FOI/FOIL/FOIA etc.) with either the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Agency components.

I am a member of the news media and request classification as such. I have previously written about the government and its activities, with some reaching over 100,000 readers in outlets such as Gizmodo, MuckRock, Motherboard, Property of the People, Unicorn Riot, and The Outline, among others. As such, as I have a reasonable expectation of publication and my editorial and writing skills are well established. In addition, I discuss and comment on the files online and make them available through non-profits such as the library Internet Archive and the journalist non-profit MuckRock, disseminating them to a large audience. While my research is not limited to this, a great deal of it, including this, focuses on the activities and attitudes of the government itself. As such, it is not necessary for me to demonstrate the relevance of this particular subject in advance.

As my primary purpose is to inform about government activities by reporting on it and making the raw data available, I request that fees be waived.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Emma Best

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://accounts.muckrock.com/accounts/login/?url_auth_token=AAAd2938UkMeEtn717RD0056ic4%3A1i2ZCD%3AuucogH9HzF80-4hJXwu7W7bUTYQ&next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.muckrock.com%2Faccounts%2Flogin%2F%3Fnext%3D%252Faccounts%252Fagency_login%252Faustin-police-department-365%252Ffbidoj-foia-consult-austin-police-department-79530%252F%253Femail%253Dmanagement.records%252540austintexas.gov”

Emma, Are you able to specify exactly which federal agencies you are interested in knowing APD has communicated with? There are numerous agencies and I don’t think the department is able to assume which federal agencies you are interested in. Again once I receive this info I will process the request but I will not begin to work on it until hear back. Thanks APD PIO

To monitor the progress or update this request please log into the Austin Public Records Center (https://u8387778.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/click?upn=xSfKPyHO1-2F4Mny2NCLJVut6w4Oise9M-2BmVFFhiA7a9idk-2FHHZvEuE0-2Fb9SDJ3a-2BOcJob2u7PtLKS-2FCFWrhCvwCi7G7OLhL0CZDMdXCUz3wiu-2B4by-2FGzzbneFkfXTjHLa_a3y2DLZt-2FhIir6QGKvya6pFj-2Bo-2F06hrRZC7ar-2FvZcSgFSNfUaCQss7GVjRRuXJUkaBAtPSMEtsaNkIEvYkgk-2Bs2PMt2OI2Tjl4RvdVp8jyf8rqVcu5pHT-2FQ0cXSQz2BP-2BUZQRBE7OnU7yVdN8BY5l6jexOn9HT8VFENOC-2FybQrF5-2BESK8mPh9fUALl7IwyVGtNIYXQ7a2jSGfF8Apzt-2BYjDJJpnhyI2-2FxN7u88AEnXLPv8Gtrl1w24rl4RXhzKmqvQAm-2FiSA1uf4zTF1j5xEFCMLb0NmCiaqXyR9HnX33hQ8mQa06zK8EALk9chTqLJgQcjQMYnUihRXpeHet85EwQnvglnj42SICPnp1dQlwRX8yxKLS8QVED6bqyMMtBAW9Px-2BfOQb9QfnChKZ3UhFqw-3D-3D)

--- Please respond above this line ---

Re: Open Record Request of August 27, 2019, Reference # R022904-082719
Dear Emma Best,
The City of Austin received a Public Information request from you on August 27, 2019, to request copies of records pertaining to the following: “To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

Copies of any emails, letters, memos or other records of consultations regarding public records requests (FOI/FOIL/FOIA etc.) with either the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Agency components.

I am a member of the news media and request classification as such. I have previously written about the government and its activities, with some reaching over 100,000 readers in outlets such as Gizmodo, MuckRock, Motherboard, Property of the People, Unicorn Riot, and The Outline, among others. As such, as I have a reasonable expectation of publication and my editorial and writing skills are well established. In addition, I discuss and comment on the files online and make them available through non-profits such as the library Internet Archive and the journalist non-profit MuckRock, disseminating them to a large audience. While my research is not limited to this, a great deal of it, including this, focuses on the activities and attitudes of the government itself. As such, it is not necessary for me to demonstrate the relevance of this particular subject in advance.

As my primary purpose is to inform about government activities by reporting on it and making the raw data available, I request that fees be waived.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Emma Best

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://accounts.muckrock.com/accounts/login/?url_auth_token=AAAd2938UkMeEtn717RD0056ic4%3A1i2ZCD%3AuucogH9HzF80-4hJXwu7W7bUTYQ&next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.muckrock.com%2Faccounts%2Flogin%2F%3Fnext%3D%252Faccounts%252Fagency_login%252Faustin-police-department-365%252Ffbidoj-foia-consult-austin-police-department-79530%252F%253Femail%253Dmanagement.records%252540austintexas.gov”
Emma,
PIO never recieved a clarfication regarding your request. Your request will be closed. If you decide you still need the information please submit a new request.
Thanks
APD PIO

To monitor the progress or update this request please log into the Austin Public Records Center (https://u8387778.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/click?upn=xSfKPyHO1-2F4Mny2NCLJVut6w4Oise9M-2BmVFFhiA7a9idk-2FHHZvEuE0-2Fb9SDJ3a-2BOcJob2u7PtLKS-2FCFWrhCvwCi7G7OLhL0CZDMdXCUz3wiu-2B4by-2FGzzbneFkfXTjHLa_a3y2DLZt-2FhIir6QGKvya6pFj-2Bo-2F06hrRZC7ar-2FvZcSgFSNfUaCQss7GVjRRuXJUkaBAtPSMEtsaNkIEvYkgk-2BgAoo5efsDjgT7tRBDgls6e7mYhyvvcRxBbSCKizNodO-2BXfwT5Q-2Fv3n4Q-2FUzvfT-2FfihjCin-2FflJOVXz-2FoDxHc43I7qQloS4be1ug3fD-2FsHqdJbX8xX8YGARP0u1Oq4JrZ2LaXxCZT5a0e5LrJLL64x6pArjhKvxFXH-2BGfGW0oRlYy4Qruq5Pqr4LxjKav9cdVezXx7dot13Iy2Djepj-2BK1Sc031DaPL6NpWDIrqG0nS9-2FO4Ui-2FgCAetzvuGm54JoV0PrfTe9Ud2OEK6Lg8u4L1oKAwllHxa9iLKhL4A64iub4ZbIn-2Bw30IF-2B2zUHXaxn-2FA-3D-3D)