MMIW Cases
| Submitted | Sept. 19, 2018 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Sovereign Bodies Institute
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
Data on all cases of: unsolved missing persons, and unsolved/solved homicides, suspicious deaths, and deaths in custody involving an Alaska Native/American Indian woman or girl victim within your jurisdiction(s). For the purposes of this request, "Alaska Native/American Indian" is defined as any individual who was identified as a member of an Alaska Native or American Indian community or as having Alaska Native/American Indian heritage. "Woman or girl" includes all victims identified as females, as well as transgender women. If there are any Jane Does that have been identified as potentially Alaska Native or American Indian, please include them as well. We are requesting cases dating from 1900 to the present.
This request is for basic information on cases as classified above. Such information may include but is not limited to victim name, location and date of disappearance/death, age of victim, status of case (solved or unsolved).
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 10 calendar days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Annita Lucchesi
From: California Highway Patrol
Office of Community Outreach and Media Relations
PO Box 942898
Sacramento, CA 94298-0001
(916) 843-3310
(800) 735-2929 (TT/TDD)
(800) 735-2922 (Voice)
September 28, 2018
File No.: 013.A13673.A16501.2018-72
Annita Lucchesi
requests@muckrock.com<mailto:requests@muckrock.com>
Dear Ms. Lucchesi:
The California Highway Patrol (CHP), Office of Community Outreach and Media Relations (COMR), received your California Public Records Act (CPRA) request, dated and received by this office on September 20, 2018.
In your original request, you asked for the following, verbatim:
Data on all cases of: unsolved missing persons, and unsolved/solved homicides, suspicious deaths, and deaths in custody involving an Alaska Native/American Indian woman or girl victim within your jurisdiction(s). For the purposes of this request, "Alaska Native/American Indian" is defined as any individual who was identified as a member of an Alaska Native or American Indian community or as having Alaska Native/American Indian heritage. "Woman or girl" includes all victims identified as females, as well as transgender women. If there are any Jane Does that have been identified as potentially Alaska Native or American Indian, please include them as well. We are requesting cases dating from 1900 to the present.
This request is for basic information on cases as classified above. Such information may include but is not limited to victim name, location and date of disappearance/death, age of victim, status of case (solved or unsolved).
Your request does not reasonably describe an identifiable record; rather, it seeks data on all cases of unsolved missing persons and unsolved/solved homicides, suspicious deaths, and deaths in-custody involving an Alaska Native/American Indian woman or girl victim since 1900. As such, your request is overbroad, does not meet the requirements contained in Government Code section 6253, subdivision (b), and is denied.
If you have any questions, or if you need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact this office at (916) 843-3310.
Sincerely,
F. CLADER
Director of Communications
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From: Sovereign Bodies Institute
Hello,
Thank you for the response. Is there any way that I can narrow down or re-word this request so that it is something CHP can fill? I cannot provide individual case numbers or victim names, because the point of the request is that the number of cases is unknown.
Thank you,
Annita
From: California Highway Patrol
Annita -
We do not have a mechanism to search statewide for the kind of information you are seeking.
The lieutenant who handles many FOIA requests is willing to discuss with you, to see if there is a way your request can be focused.
If you are interested in discussing this over the phone, send me a good number and times to reach you. We are on Pacific Time.
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From: California Highway Patrol
Annita -
We do not have a mechanism to search statewide for the kind of information you are seeking.
The lieutenant who handles many FOIA requests is willing to discuss with you, to see if there is a way your request can be focused.
If you are interested in discussing this over the phone, send me a good number and times to reach you. We are on Pacific Time.
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From: Sovereign Bodies Institute
A discussion on focusing the request would be much appreciated. My phone number is (707) 298-3060, I'm on Pacific time as well, and available most of this week. Feel free to give me a call anytime.
Thanks,
Annita
From: California Highway Patrol
We will call you at (707) 298-3060 at 10:00 this morning.
Janelle Fallan Dunham
Community Outreach and Media Relations
(916) 843-3314
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From: California Highway Patrol
Annita - here is our summary of our telephone conversation:
To: Annita Lucchesi
On October 11, 2018, you spoke with Lieutenant M. McKee, ID 15051, with the Office of Risk Management, Fran Clader, Director of Communications; and Janelle Dunham, Information Officer via telephone. During the conversation you discussed your research project and the type of data you were seeking.
As we discussed, the California Highway patrol generally does not investigate homicides, or missing persons, nor is the Department the statewide coordinator for data regarding those types of crimes. Additionally, the CHP cannot search any data it may possess using the parameters you outlined.
During our conversation you were advised the California Department of Justice may have some or all of the data you are seeking, as they are a statewide agency with different specialized units such as the Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit. They also publish annual reports to include "Homicide in California" and have information portals like "Open Justice" which may aid you in your research.
The CHP does focus efforts in many areas, including truck and bus inspections, air operations (both airplanes and helicopters), and vehicle theft investigation and theft prevention. Since the 1995 merger with the California State Police, the CHP has been responsible for protection of state property and employees as well as the Governor and other dignitaries.
The California Highway Patrol was created in 1929 to provide uniform traffic law enforcement throughout the state. Assuring the safe, convenient, and efficient transportation of people and goods on our highway system is still our primary purpose.
Thank you for taking the time to speak with us regarding your research.
Janelle Fallan Dunham
Community Outreach and Media Relations
(916) 843-3314
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