ProPublica: Hate crimes data
| Tracking # |
B000467-080217 |
| Submitted | July 31, 2017 |
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Communications
From: Ken Schwencke
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L. c.66, §10, I hereby request the following records:
Any database or other records of hate crimes or crimes evidencing bias of race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin or disability reported to or investigated by your agency since Jan. 1, 2010, containing at least the following fields:
the incident number
date of the incident
whether the crime was against individuals or a business / property
number of victims
race or ethnicity of the victims
gender of the victims
the offense classification
the location of the incident
the bias motivation (anti-black, anti-muslim, etc)
I would like the records in a machine-readable, electronic format if possible. If the records are kept in another format, or kept individually, I would still like copies.
This request is made as part of the Documenting Hate Project, a collaboration involving dozens of news organizations, led by ProPublica. Coverage from the project is compiled at https://projects.propublica.org/graphics/hatecrimes#hatecrime-coverage.
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,
Ken Schwencke
From: Media Relations
31 July 2017
*via email*
Re: 31 July 2017 Public Records Request *B000467-080217*
Dear Mr.Schwencke,
The Boston Police Department (BPD) received your July 31, 2017 request for
public records. This letter shall act as the response to your request for
public records. A response to a public records request must be provided
within ten (10) business days from the business day a written request was
received. G. L. c. 66, § 10 (a); 950 CMR 32.06(2)(b). It is expected that
all public records responsive to a request will be provided within
twenty-five business days from the business day a written request was
received. G. L. c. 66, § 10(b)(vi); 950 CMR 32.06(2)(i). This response
applies only to records that exist and are in the custody of the BPD. *See*
*A Guide to the Massachusetts Public Records Law*, p. 32, n.115. It is
expected that a custodian of records must use her superior knowledge of her
records with respect to responses to public records requests. 950 CMR
32.04(5).
Specifically, you requested:
Any database or other records of hate crimes or crimes evidencing bias of
race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual
orientation, national origin or disability reported to or investigated by
your agency since Jan. 1, 2010, containing at least the following fields:
the incident number
date of the incident
whether the crime was against individuals or a business / property
number of victims
race or ethnicity of the victims
gender of the victims
the offense classification
the location of the incident
the bias motivation (anti-black, anti-muslim, etc)
I would like the records in a machine-readable, electronic format if
possible. If the records are kept in another format, or kept individually,
I would still like copies.
Pursuant to the Massachusetts law a municipal records custodian is
permitted to assess fees for the provision of public records. G. L. c. 66,
§ 10 (d); 950 CMR 32.07. There is a presumption under the Massachusetts
Public Records Law that government records are public; however, government
records custodians are permitted to redact or withhold portions of public
records. See G. L. c. 4, § 7 (26).
After a determination regarding the existence of any public records the BPD
will provide a supplemental response to your request. Any exemptions to
the Public Records Law that apply to permit or require redaction or
withholding will be described at that time, along with any applicable fees.
Under Massachusetts law you may appeal this response to the Supervisor of
Records in the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. G. L. c. 66, §
10A; 950 CMR 32.08. If you have any questions or concerns, please call
617.343.4520 <(617)%20343-6660>.
Respectfully,
Lieutenant Detective Michael McCarthy
Director, Media Relations
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 31, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #B000467-080217.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Media Relations
28 August 2017
*via email*
*requests@muckrock.com
<requests@muckrock.com>*
Re: 31 July 2017 Public Records Request *B000467-080217*
Dear Mr.Schwencke,
The Boston Police Department (BPD) received your July 31, 2017 request for
public records. This letter shall act as the response to your request for
public records. A response to a public records request must be provided
within ten (10) business days from the business day a written request was
received. G. L. c. 66, § 10 (a); 950 CMR 32.06(2)(b). It is expected that
all public records responsive to a request will be provided within
twenty-five business days from the business day a written request was
received. G. L. c. 66, § 10(b)(vi); 950 CMR 32.06(2)(i). This response
applies only to records that exist and are in the custody of the BPD. *See*
*A Guide to the Massachusetts Public Records Law*, p. 32, n.115. It is
expected that a custodian of records must use her superior knowledge of her
records with respect to responses to public records requests. 950 CMR
32.04(5).
Specifically, you requested:
Any database or other records of hate crimes or crimes evidencing bias of
race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual
orientation, national origin or disability reported to or investigated by
your agency since Jan. 1, 2010, containing at least the following fields:
the incident number
date of the incident
whether the crime was against individuals or a business / property
number of victims
race or ethnicity of the victims
gender of the victims
the offense classification
the location of the incident
the bias motivation (anti-black, anti-muslim, etc)
I would like the records in a machine-readable, electronic format if
possible. If the records are kept in another format, or kept individually,
I would still like copies.
Pursuant to the Massachusetts law a municipal records custodian is
permitted to assess fees for the provision of public records. G. L. c. 66,
§ 10 (d); 950 CMR 32.07. There is a presumption under the Massachusetts
Public Records Law that government records are public; however, government
records custodians are permitted to redact or withhold portions of public
records. See G. L. c. 4, § 7 (26).
Please note the Boston Police Department does not keep records for the number
of victims in one case and/or the gender of victims. Please find all
responsive documents for the remainder of your request attached in this
email.
Under Massachusetts law you may appeal this response to the Supervisor of
Records in the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. G. L. c. 66, §
10A; 950 CMR 32.08. If you have any questions or concerns, please call
617.343.4520.
Respectfully,
Lieutenant Detective Michael McCarthy
Director, Media Relations
From: Ken Schwencke
Lieutenant Detective McCarthy,
Thanks so much for your help with this request! I really appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Ken Schwencke
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