ShotSpotter and gun crime data
Tracking # |
21 1541 |
Submitted | July 30, 2021 |
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Communications
From: Todd Feathers
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Maryland Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
1) A copy of the department's ShotSpotter database containing every alert that has been generated by the department's ShotSpotter Flex system since January 1, 2016. The list/database should include the date, time, location (address or latitude+longitude coordinates), single or multiple shot distinction, semi-automatic or high-capacity distinction, number of shooters, notes added by the ShotSpotter or dispatch reviewer (where applicable), and unique alert ID. If the department tracks whether the alert was confirmed as a definite or likely gunshot, please also include that data. Please note: The requested data is all readily available and exportable from the ShotSpotter Flex system, as demonstrated by the attached documents.
2) Data from the department's CAD system (or comparable system) detailing every report of shots fired since January 1, 2016. Where possible, this data should include: date, time, location (address or latitude+longitude coordinates), distinction as to how the report was made (e.g., via ShotSpotter, a call to 911, or otherwise), whether the gunfire was confirmed, and any other pertinent information.
I ask that all fees be waived as I am a journalist and intend to use the requested records to publish articles in the public interest. In the event you choose to impose fees, I request a detailed breakdown of the fees, including the hourly wage of each employ involved and an explanation justifying the employee hours required to fulfill the request.
Should you choose to reject this request or redact portions of it, I ask that you provide a detailed breakdown of the statutory exemptions and associated case law underlying your decision to withhold each/any portion from public review.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter.
I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Todd Feathers
From: Baltimore Police Department
Dear Mr. Todd Feathers:
This is an acknowledgement of your request below, for public information, submitted to the Document Compliance Unit ("DCU") of the Baltimore Police Department ("BPD"). Your request is governed by the Maryland Public Information Act ("PIA"), Maryland Code, General Provisions Article ("GP"), Sections 4-101 et seq. DCU will process your request promptly. However, our response may take longer than ten (10) working days, the reasons for which may include the scope of your request, the type and volume of potentially responsive records, and the nature of the search, review, and preparation that is required. In any event, DCU will respond to your request within thirty (30) days. GP § 4-203.
DCU will contact you with the availability of records and the possible costs associated with this request, as soon as the information is made available by the Custodian of Records. Likewise, if DCU and/or the Custodian of Records need you to clarify your request, DCU will contact you promptly.
Please refer to tracking # MPIA 21- 1541 in any subsequent correspondence pertaining to this matter. All follow up correspondence should be made in writing and submitted to the DCU's e-mail: DCU@baltimorepolice.org<mailto:DCU@baltimorepolice.org>.
Please understand that because of COVID-19, the Baltimore Police Department, Document Compliance Unit ("DCU") is working under a state of emergency and mandated to work remotely. DCU will work diligently to respond to your request as quickly as possible. Please note responses to document request may take longer than normal.
Ken Hurst
Contract Specialist
Baltimore Police Department
Office of Legal Affairs
Document Compliance Unit
410-637-8684
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The information contained in or attached to this e-mail message may be a privileged and confidential attorney/client communication, or otherwise confidential, and is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are notified that any distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the Legal Affairs Division immediately by telephone at 410-396-2496 and DELETE the message from your system immediately.
The materials in this e-mail are private and may contain sensitive law enforcement information. Please note that e-mail is not necessarily confidential or secure. Use of e-mail constitutes your acknowledgment of these confidentiality and security limitations. If you are not the intended recipient, be advised that any unauthorized use, disclosure, copying, distribution, or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited as covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2510-2521. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify the sender via telephone or return e-mail.
From: Baltimore Police Department
Dear Mr. Todd Feathers:
On August 5, 2021 you submitted a request for public records to the Document Compliance Unit ("DCU") of the Baltimore Police Department ("BPD"), for "Shot Spotter Information." The Maryland Public Information Act ("PIA"), Annotated Code of Maryland, General Provisions Article, § 4-101, et seq. governs your request.
The responsive record(s) are maintained by the Communications Section of the BPD. To this end, please find the Shot Spotter Information attached. This record was provided by the Communications Section as responsive to your request.
Nothing in this response is intended to indicate that any records sought from the BPD exist or to waive any privileges held by the BPD. You have the right under PIA § 4-1B-04 to contact the Public Access Ombudsman to mediate any dispute(s) you may have with this response. You may also, contest this response by filing a complaint for Judicial Review in Circuit Court pursuant to PIA § 4-362. Please refer to MPIA tracking # 21-1541 in any subsequent correspondence pertaining to this matter.
Ken Hurst
Contract Specialist
Baltimore Police Department
Office of Legal Affairs
Document Compliance Unit
410-637-8684
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The information contained in or attached to this e-mail message may be a privileged and confidential attorney/client communication, or otherwise confidential, and is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are notified that any distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the Legal Affairs Division immediately by telephone at 410-396-2496 and DELETE the message from your system immediately.
The materials in this e-mail are private and may contain sensitive law enforcement information. Please note that e-mail is not necessarily confidential or secure. Use of e-mail constitutes your acknowledgment of these confidentiality and security limitations. If you are not the intended recipient, be advised that any unauthorized use, disclosure, copying, distribution, or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited as covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2510-2521. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify the sender via telephone or return e-mail.
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Shot Spotter 2018-Present
From: Todd Feathers
Hello,
Thank you very much for providing this data. I'm having trouble opening it in its current format. Would you mind sending it as an Excel, CSV, or PDF file?
Thank you!
Todd
From: Baltimore Police Department
Good Morning:
Here is the data in PDF form.
Thank you
Ken Hurst
Baltimore Police Department
Operations Assistant II
Document Compliance Coordinator
Office of Legal Affairs
410-637-8684
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The information contained in or attached to this e-mail message may be a privileged and confidential attorney/client communication, or otherwise confidential, and is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are notified that any distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the Legal Affairs Division immediately by telephone at 410-396-2496 and DELETE the message from your system immediately.
The materials in this e-mail are private and may contain sensitive law enforcement information. Please note that e-mail is not necessarily confidential or secure. Use of e-mail constitutes your acknowledgment of these confidentiality and security limitations. If you are not the intended recipient, be advised that any unauthorized use, disclosure, copying, distribution, or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited as covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2510-2521. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify the sender via telephone or return e-mail.
From: Todd Feathers
Hello Ken,
Thank you very much for the quick response. Unfortunately, as you can see from the file you sent, the data is also unusable in this format. It needs to be formatted as a table where all the column headers are in the right place with the data below them.
Would it be possible to get it as an Excel or CSV file instead?
Appreciate it!
Todd
From: Baltimore Police Department
Good Morning:
Ok let’s see if this one is better.
Ken Hurst
Baltimore Police Department
Operations Assistant II
Document Compliance Coordinator
Office of Legal Affairs
410-637-8684
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The information contained in or attached to this e-mail message may be a privileged and confidential attorney/client communication, or otherwise confidential, and is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are notified that any distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the Legal Affairs Division immediately by telephone at 410-396-2496 and DELETE the message from your system immediately.
The materials in this e-mail are private and may contain sensitive law enforcement information. Please note that e-mail is not necessarily confidential or secure. Use of e-mail constitutes your acknowledgment of these confidentiality and security limitations. If you are not the intended recipient, be advised that any unauthorized use, disclosure, copying, distribution, or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited as covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2510-2521. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify the sender via telephone or return e-mail.
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Shotspotter
From: Todd Feathers
This is perfect, thank you so much!
I promise this is the last question, but do you have the explanations for the codes listed in the "Disposition" column (CANC, DN, AN, etc.)?
Really appreciate you going the extra mile for me!
Todd
From: Baltimore Police Department
Good Morning:
I have attached a copy of the disposition codes for you.
The only one I can’t find is CANC.
Thank you
Ken Hurst
Baltimore Police Department
Operations Assistant II
Document Compliance Coordinator
Office of Legal Affairs
410-637-8684
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The information contained in or attached to this e-mail message may be a privileged and confidential attorney/client communication, or otherwise confidential, and is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are notified that any distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the Legal Affairs Division immediately by telephone at 410-396-2496 and DELETE the message from your system immediately.
The materials in this e-mail are private and may contain sensitive law enforcement information. Please note that e-mail is not necessarily confidential or secure. Use of e-mail constitutes your acknowledgment of these confidentiality and security limitations. If you are not the intended recipient, be advised that any unauthorized use, disclosure, copying, distribution, or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited as covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2510-2521. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify the sender via telephone or return e-mail.
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