Specific Instances of Cell Site Simulator Borrowing (Boston PD)
Submitted | Jan. 17, 2017 |
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Communications
From: Curtis Waltman
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L. c.66, ยง10, I hereby request the following records:
I would like specific names of the 5 local or state and the 4 federal law enforcement agencies that the Boston Police Department has loaned out their StingRay, HailStorm, or any other Cell Site Simulator to. I understand from a previous request that all emails, memos, or other specific information on the cases themselves are exempt from disclosure. However, I feel that it is in the public's interest to know who BPD is loaning these devices out to at least and I do not believe this would compromise law enforcement investigatory techniques in any meaningful way.
Furthermore, as a member of the news media I would request a fee waiver. My work has been published by outlets such as MuckRock and Motherboard, My work for Motherboard can be found at the following link: http://motherboard.vice.com/author/cwaltman
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 calendar days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Curtis Waltman
From: Media Relations
Mr.Waltman,
Releasing names would potentially identify other departments and therefore
identify other investigations, for this reason and the reasons previously
stated we will not be releasing this information.
If you have further questions please contact the Office of Media Relations
at 617-343-4520.
thank you,
Office of Media Relations
Assuming responsive documentation exists identifying these agencies,
including emails, memos, written requests, invoices, contracts or other
agreements, any further details regarding the deployment of cell site
simulators for other law enforcement agencies is exempt from disclosure by
M.G.L. c 4 s. 7(26)(f). Disclosure of the information contained in these
documents would not be in the public interest and would prejudice the
possibility of effective law enforcement. The protection of such
investigatory materials is essential to ensure that the Department can
continue to effectively monitor and control criminal activity and thus
protect the safety of private citizens.
Files
There are no files associated with this request.