Massachusetts Criminal Defamation Arrests (Boston Police Department)

Dear Adam Steinbaugh
Thank you for your interest in public records of Boston Police Department. Your request has been received and is being processed. Your request was received in this office on 4/25/2022 10:16:24 PM and given the reference number B001059-042522 for tracking purposes.
If this is a media request, please contact the Office of Media Relations directly at 617.343.4520.
To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:

Any police reports generated on or after October 1, 2019, concerning any alleged violation of MA Gen L ch 272 § 98C, "libel," or "hatred."

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.

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,

Adam Steinbaugh

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
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 Public Records Center.
Director, Public Information
Boston Police Department

--- Please respond above this line ---
10/11/2022 RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST of April 25, 2022., Reference # B001059-042522 Dear Adam, You have requested documents that are potentially in the possession, custody or control of the Boston Police Department under the Massachusetts Public Records Law (G. L. c. 66, § 10).    Specifically, you stated:
To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:

Any police reports generated on or after October 1, 2019, concerning any alleged violation of MA Gen L ch 272 § 98C, "libel," or "hatred."

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.

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,

Adam Steinbaugh

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/ We have reviewed our files and have located records that correspond to your request. These records have been released to the Public Records Center .  Click the link below to login to the Records Center and retrieve the requested records. Please note that there are an additional three (3) reports that contain the word "hatred" during the requested time period. Two (2) of those reports are exempt from disclosure under the so-called statutory exemption to the public records law as the reports constitutes reports of domestic violence and/or sexual assault. See G. L. c. 4, § 7(26)(a) and G. L. c 41 §97(D). Additionally, one (1) report has been withheld in its entirety pursuant to G. L. c. 4, § 7(26)(c) as disclosure ofthe withheld  report  would constitute an unwarranted invasion of the privacy of several juvenile suspects.  Lastly, the names and other identifying information of suspects in the provided reports have been redacted pursuant to G. L. c. 4, § 7(26)(c) as disclosure ofthe redacted name and identifying information would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. Police Records Request - B001059-042522 Thank you for your patience in awaiting this information. Sincerely, Martha DeMaio Admin OPC 617-343-6016