Battery Park surveillance camera procurement documents
| Tracking # |
3395 |
| Submitted | July 28, 2020 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Brian Waters
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Vermont Public Records Act, I hereby request records relating to the procurement of a new surveillance camera situated at the north end of Battery Park, next to Beansie's bus.
Specifically, I am requesting:
1) Any grant application that may have been filed to fund the system, if applicable.
2) Any RFI's, RFP's, or RFQ's published by the department or the city about the new system
3) Vendor responses to RFI's/P's/Q's.
4) Contracts signed or agreements made with the winning vendor, if applicable.
5) Invoices from vendors.
6) Shipping manifests or packing slips that arrived with the equipment.
In your search for vendors, please include not only the manufacturer of the camera itself, but also the manufacturers of any networking equipment, DVR or recording equipment, or other equipment associated with the new system, as well as vendors of services such as data storage or technical support, and also the installation company.
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 3 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Brian Waters
From: Burlington Police Department
Hello,
The Burlington Police Department Records Division is in receipt of your public records request. Your request will be handled as quickly as possible, however please be aware that during our evolving COVID-19 response your request may take longer than usual
due to displaced and minimal staffing. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause but feel it is important for the health and well-being of our support staff to follow established protocol. Your ticket reference number is '3395'. To make additional comments, or to send attachments, you can reply to this email. When replying, DO NOT change the Subject line of the email. ....................................................................................................................................................... Burlington Police Department
Records Division
802-540-2370
Please note that this communication and any response to it will be maintained as a public record and may be subject to disclosure under the Vermont Public Records Act.
From: Burlington Police Department
Brian,
I am working on your request. I will need additional time to compile the requested records and redact them. I'm hoping to have something for you by the middle of next week.
Sincerely,
Justin
Lt. Justin Couture
Administrative Lieutenant
Burlington Police Department
Note: This email is sent with reference to Ticket #3395.
Please mention reference number '[Ticket-3395]' for further email communications.
Please note that this communication and any response to it will be maintained as a public record and may be subject to disclosure under the Vermont Public Records Act.
From: Burlington Police Department
Hello,
Ticket 3395 submitted on 8/12/2020 2:45:08 PM has been updated, with a Ticket Note: Note Added By : Justin Couture Note Added On : Aug 13 2020 10:05AM Note Type : Ticket Description Note Description : To: requests@muckrock.com
Subject: Records Request Form
Message Body: Brian,
I am working on your request. I will need additional time to compile the requested records and redact them. I'm hoping to have something for you by the middle of next week.
Sincerely,
Justin
Lt. Justin Couture
Administrative Lieutenant
Burlington Police Department
To make additional comments, you can reply to this email. When replying, DO NOT change the Subject line of the email.
.......................................................................................................................................................
Burlington Police Department
Records Division
802-540-2370
Please note that this communication and any response to it will be maintained as a public record and may be subject to disclosure under the Vermont Public Records Act.
From: Brian Waters
Thanks Lt. Couture. This one is asking for a pretty broad set of procurement docs, hope that's not too much trouble.
Brian Waters
From: Burlington Police Department
Hello,
Ticket 3395 submitted on 8/12/2020 2:45:08 PM has been updated, with a Ticket Note:
Note Added By : Justin Couture
Note Added On : Aug 13 2020 1:58PM
Note Type : Ticket Description
Note Description : From: requests@muckrock.com
Subject: RE: Vermont Public Records Act Request: Battery Park surveillancecamera procurement documents
Message Body: Burlington Police Department
PRA Office
1 North Avenue
Burlington, VT 05401
August 13, 2020
This is a follow up to a previous request:
Thanks Lt. Couture. This one is asking for a pretty broad set of procurement docs, hope that's not too much trouble.
Brian Waters
Filed via MuckRock.com
E-mail (Preferred): requests@muckrock.com
Upload documents directly: https://accounts.muckrock.com/accounts/login/?url_auth_token=AAAag2zGXKTLQEXveX5tJYrozPY%3A1k6HU4%3Ai2f5nn9L-BOfP066MqKwDN0UwPE&next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.muckrock.com%2Faccounts%2Flogin%2F%3Fnext%3D%252Faccounts%252Fagency_login%252Fburlington-police-department-7872%252Fbattery-park-surveillance-camera-procurement-documents-99242%252F%253Femail%253Dtrackit%252540bpdvt.org
Is this email coming to the wrong contact? Something else wrong? Use the above link to let us know.
For mailed responses, please address (see note):
MuckRock News
DEPT MR 99242
411A Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02144-2516
PLEASE NOTE: This request is not filed by a MuckRock staff member, but is being sent through MuckRock by the above in order to better track, share, and manage public records requests. Also note that improperly addressed (i.e., with the requester's name rather than "MuckRock News" and the department number) requests might be returned as undeliverable.
---
On Aug. 13, 2020:
Subject: [Ticket-3395] has been updated
Hello,
Ticket 3395 submitted on 8/12/2020 2:45:08 PM has been updated, with a Ticket Note: Note Added By : Justin Couture Note Added On : Aug 13 2020 10:05AM Note Type : Ticket Description Note Description : To: requests@muckrock.com
Subject: Records Request Form
Message Body: Brian,
I am working on your request. I will need additional time to compile the requested records and redact them. I'm hoping to have something for you by the middle of next week.
Sincerely,
Justin
Lt. Justin Couture
Administrative Lieutenant
Burlington Police Department
To make additional comments, you can reply to this email. When replying, DO NOT change the Subject line of the email.
.......................................................................................................................................................
Burlington Police Department
Records Division
802-540-2370
Please note that this communication and any response to it will be maintained as a public record and may be subject to disclosure under the Vermont Public Records Act.
---
On Aug. 13, 2020:
Subject: Records Request Form: [Ticket-3395]
Brian,
I am working on your request. I will need additional time to compile the requested records and redact them. I'm hoping to have something for you by the middle of next week.
Sincerely,
Justin
Lt. Justin Couture
Administrative Lieutenant
Burlington Police Department
Note: This email is sent with reference to Ticket #3395.
Please mention reference number '[Ticket-3395]' for further email communications.
Please note that this communication and any response to it will be maintained as a public record and may be subject to disclosure under the Vermont Public Records Act.
---
On Aug. 12, 2020:
Subject: Records Request [Ticket-3395] has been created
Hello,
The Burlington Police Department Records Division is in receipt of your public records request. Your request will be handled as quickly as possible, however please be aware that during our evolving COVID-19 response your request may take longer than usual
due to displaced and minimal staffing. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause but feel it is important for the health and well-being of our support staff to follow established protocol. Your ticket reference number is '3395'. To make additional comments, or to send attachments, you can reply to this email. When replying, DO NOT change the Subject line of the email. ....................................................................................................................................................... Burlington Police Department
Records Division
802-540-2370
Please note that this communication and any response to it will be maintained as a public record and may be subject to disclosure under the Vermont Public Records Act.
---
On July 28, 2020:
Subject: Vermont Public Records Act Request: Battery Park surveillance camera procurement documents
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Vermont Public Records Act, I hereby request records relating to the procurement of a new surveillance camera situated at the north end of Battery Park, next to Beansie's bus.
Specifically, I am requesting:
1) Any grant application that may have been filed to fund the system, if applicable.
2) Any RFI's, RFP's, or RFQ's published by the department or the city about the new system
3) Vendor responses to RFI's/P's/Q's.
4) Contracts signed or agreements made with the winning vendor, if applicable.
5) Invoices from vendors.
6) Shipping manifests or packing slips that arrived with the equipment.
In your search for vendors, please include not only the manufacturer of the camera itself, but also the manufacturers of any networking equipment, DVR or recording equipment, or other equipment associated with the new system, as well as vendors of services such as data storage or technical support, and also the installation company.
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 3 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Brian Waters
Filed via MuckRock.com
E-mail (Preferred): requests@muckrock.com
Upload documents directly: https://accounts.muckrock.com/accounts/login/?url_auth_token=AAAag2zGXKTLQEXveX5tJYrozPY%3A1k6HU4%3Ai2f5nn9L-BOfP066MqKwDN0UwPE&next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.muckrock.com%2Faccounts%2Flogin%2F%3Fnext%3D%252Faccounts%252Fagency_login%252Fburlington-police-department-7872%252Fbattery-park-surveillance-camera-procurement-documents-99242%252F%253Femail%253Dtrackit%252540bpdvt.org
Is this email coming to the wrong contact? Something else wrong? Use the above link to let us know.
For mailed responses, please address (see note):
MuckRock News
DEPT MR 99242
411A Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02144-2516
PLEASE NOTE: This request is not filed by a MuckRock staff member, but is being sent through MuckRock by the above in order to better track, share, and manage public records requests. Also note that improperly addressed (i.e., with the requester's name rather than "MuckRock News" and the department number) requests might be returned as undeliverable.
CAUTION: EXTERNAL MAIL. DO NOT CLICK ON LINKS OR OPEN ATTACHMENTS YOU DO NOT TRUST.
To make additional comments, you can reply to this email. When replying, DO NOT change the Subject line of the email.
.......................................................................................................................................................
Burlington Police Department
Records Division
802-540-2370
From: Burlington Police Department
Brian,
Attached are the documents relative to your request. I should note that redactions were made pursuant to 1 VSA 317(c)(5)(A)(vi). Other redactions were made as the information was not relative to your request.
Please let me know if you have questions and as I'm sure you are aware from previous requests, any appeal of the redacted information should be directed to the Mayor's Office.
Sincerely,
Lt. Justin Couture
Administrative Lieutenant
Burlington Police Department
Note: This email is sent with reference to Ticket #3395.
Please mention reference number '[Ticket-3395]' for further email communications.
Please note that this communication and any response to it will be maintained as a public record and may be subject to disclosure under the Vermont Public Records Act.
From: Burlington Police Department
Hello,
Ticket 3395 submitted on 8/12/2020 2:45:08 PM has been updated, with a Ticket Note: Note Added By : Justin Couture Note Added On : Aug 19 2020 12:04PM Note Type : Ticket Description Note Description : To: requests@muckrock.com
Subject: Records Request Form
Message Body: Brian,
Attached are the documents relative to your request. I should note that redactions were made pursuant to 1 VSA 317(c)(5)(A)(vi). Other redactions were made as the information was not relative to your request.
Please let me know if you have questions and as I'm sure you are aware from previous requests, any appeal of the redacted information should be directed to the Mayor's Office.
Sincerely,
Lt. Justin Couture
Administrative Lieutenant
Burlington Police Department
To make additional comments, you can reply to this email. When replying, DO NOT change the Subject line of the email.
.......................................................................................................................................................
Burlington Police Department
Records Division
802-540-2370
Please note that this communication and any response to it will be maintained as a public record and may be subject to disclosure under the Vermont Public Records Act.
From: Brian Waters
Chief Murad,
This is an appeal under the Vermont Public Records Act. On August 12, I wrote to your agency seeking records relating to a camera system that was recently installed on a pole next to Beansie's Bus. On the 19th, Lt. Couture responded with the records I sought, albeit with substantial redactions. This appeal challenges those redactions.
In his response, Lt. Couture wrote that redactions were made for two different reasons. First, some redactions were made pursuant to 1 V.S.A. § 317 (c)(5)(A)(vi), which deals with records that "could reasonably be expected to endanger the life or physical safety of any individual." Second, additional redactions were made because "the information was not relative to [my] request."
Unfortunately, Lt. Couture did not specify which redactions were made for which reason, which is required under 1 V.S.A. § 318 (e). As such, I am forced to make the following assumptions:
- I assume that line-by-line redactions of sentences or short groups of words were made pursuant to 317 (c)(5)(A)(vi).
- I assume that redactions made of full pages, or of substantial portions of pages, were made because "the information was not relative to [my] request."
(I think that if you review my request and the response in question, you will see why I have made these assumptions, which I hope are correct. In particular, all of the line-by-line redactions are made on pages that deal with the information I specifically asked for; I assume the bulk redactions are made for the second reason by process of elimination.)
I am not challenging the line-by-line redactions under 1 V.S.A. § 317 (c)(5)(A)(vi), although we believe they are superfluous.
I am, however, challenging the redactions made under the notion that "the information was not relative to [my] request." Simply put, this is not a valid exemption under the Vermont Public Records Act. It is completely normal that a record may contain extraneous information which was not specifically requested. Even if this were a valid exemption, it would take an extremely narrow reading of my request in order for one to infer that I was interested strictly in records relating to equipment installed on the pole next to Beansies Bus, and not, for example, similar equipment installed elsewhere by the same vendor, billed on the same invoice.
Given the above considerations, I am requesting that all redactions made because "the information was not relative to [my] request," be removed. Furthermore, please indicate in your response which redactions were because of which reason, as is required by 318 (e).
Thank you for your patience in reviewing this appeal,
Brian Waters
From: Burlington Police Department
Hello, Ticket 3395 has been resolved, with a status of Closed.
To submit a new records request, please Click Here. (https://burlingtonvt.gov/police/records-request) ....................................................................................................................................................... Burlington Police Department
Records Division
802-540-2370
Please note that this communication and any response to it will be maintained as a public record and may be subject to disclosure under the Vermont Public Records Act.
From: Burlington Police Department
Good morning, Brian.
This email is to confirm receipt of your appeal of the Burlington Police Department's response to the public records request below. Following the City's public records appeal process, your appeal will be reviewed by the Mayor's Office with guidance from the City Attorney's Office and a determination will be issued to you from the Mayor's Office.
Original PRA request:
On July 28, 2020:
Subject: Vermont Public Records Act Request: Battery Park surveillance camera procurement documents
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Vermont Public Records Act, I hereby request records relating to the procurement of a new surveillance camera situated at the north end of Battery Park, next to Beansie's bus.
Specifically, I am requesting:
1) Any grant application that may have been filed to fund the system, if applicable.
2) Any RFI's, RFP's, or RFQ's published by the department or the city about the new system
3) Vendor responses to RFI's/P's/Q's.
4) Contracts signed or agreements made with the winning vendor, if applicable.
5) Invoices from vendors.
6) Shipping manifests or packing slips that arrived with the equipment.
In your search for vendors, please include not only the manufacturer of the camera itself, but also the manufacturers of any networking equipment, DVR or recording equipment, or other equipment associated with the new system, as well as vendors of services such as data storage or technical support, and also the installation company.
Thank you.
Sara DeGaetano
Public Records and Information Coordinator
City of Burlington, VT
sdegaetano@burlingtonvt.gov<mailto:sdegaetano@burlingtonvt.gov>
802-557-7046
Please note that this communication and any response to it will be maintained as a public record and may be subject to disclosure under the Vermont Public Records Act.
From: Burlington Police Department
Dear Brian,
Please see attached a letter from Mayor Weinberger in response to your public records request appeal.
Best,
Jordan
--
Jordan Redell
Chief of Staff
Office of Mayor Miro Weinberger
City Hall | 149 Church Street
Burlington, VT 05401
802.503.7664
Pronouns: she, her
Please note that this communication and any response to it will be maintained as a public record and may be subject to disclosure under the Vermont Public Records Act.
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