Camden PD homicide and shooting data
| Submitted | May 18, 2017 |
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Communications
From: Sarah Ryley
To whom it may concern:
Under the New Jersey Open Records Act I am requesting data, preferably in .csv, .xls, .txt, or .xlsx format, pertaining to homicides and non-fatal shootings that have been handled by the Camden Police Department from Jan. 1, 2005 through the date in which this request is filled.
This data should include a record for each incident, and all fields disclosable under the law, including but not limited to:
- A unique identifier for the incident (i.e. incident ID)
- Unit assigned to the investigation
- Date of the incident
- Name(s) of the victim(s)
- Date of Birth of the victim(s)
- Race of the victim(s)
- Ethnicity of the victim(s) (i.e. Hispanic or Non-Hispanic)
- Gender of the victim(s)
- Address or location of the incident
- Weapon used
- Any other data pertaining to the circumstances surrounding the incident (i.e., motive, whether it was suspected gang or drug-related, narrative of incident)
- Status of the investigation (i.e., whether a suspect has been identified and an arrest made)
- Date of arrest
- Name(s) of suspect(s)
- Date of Birth of the suspect(s)
- Race of the suspect(s)
- Ethnicity of the suspect(s) (i.e. Hispanic or Non-Hispanic)
- Gender of the suspect(s)
- Responding officer
- Detective(s) assigned to the case
- Days investigation was active (i.e. Not a cold case)
- Number of responding officers
- Number of detectives assigned to the case
- I am also requesting any data dictionaries, glossary of terms, record layouts, etc. pertaining to the above database(s), that describe the database and define the fields and codes used in the database.
If one or more of the fields I requested above is not available in the Camden Police Department’s database(s), please notify me via email and I will strike that field from my request. I am merely asking for all disclosable fields maintained in the Camden Police Department’s database(s) that track homicide and non-fatal shooting investigations.
If there are fields that I did not request, but that are still disclosable under the New Jersey Open Records Act, my request asks that you include those fields as well.
I would like to receive this information in digital, spreadsheet form, preferably in .csv, .xls, .txt, or .xlsx., which I am entitled to under See N.J.S.A. 47:1A5(d). (A custodian shall permit access to a government record and provide a copy thereof in the medium requested if the public agency maintains the record in that medium. If the public agency does not maintain the record in the medium requested, the custodian shall either convert the record to the medium requested or provide a copy in some other meaningful medium.)
As a member of the media reporting on matters in the public interest, I am requesting a fee waiver and an expediting of my request. Since I am requesting records in their original electronic format whenever possible, I expect the costs, if any, to be limited. (Access to electronic records and non-printed materials shall be provided free of charge, but the public agency may charge for the actual costs of any needed supplies such as computer discs. See N.J.S.A. 47:1A 5(b).)
The New Jersey Open Records Act requires a response soon as possible, but not later than seven business days after receiving the request, provided that the record is currently available and not in storage or archived.
If you redact any fields in the database, please cite the specific fields and the exemption you feel justifies the refusal to release the information.
I am requesting that communication regarding this request be conducted via email, and that the request be filled via email, which I am entitled to under the law.
Thank you for considering my request.
Sincerely,
Sarah Ryley
Reporter, The Trace Media
112 Berkeley Pl. #3R
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Cell: 347-324-8697
sarahryleyfoi@gmail.com
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 May 18, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
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 May 18, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
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 May 18, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Opra Custodian
Good Morning,
The Camden County Office of Archives and Records Management has responded to you on 5/30/17 and 6/6/17.
Please see below for our responses.
Steffani Lon for
Maria Efstratiades
Custodian of Records
Office of Archives & Records Management
Courthouse, 11th Floor
520 Market Street
Camden, New Jersey 08102
(856) 225-2131 Telephone
opracustodian@camdencounty.com<mailto:opracustodian@camdencounty.com>
NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and delete or destroy all copies of the original message.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
On 6/6/2017 3:07:05 PM, Maria Efstratiades wrote:
06/06/2017
Sarah Ryley
The Trace Media
112 Berkeley Pl. #3R
Brooklyn NY 11217
RE: OPRA REQUEST of 5/30/2017, Reference # W010142-053017
Dear Sarah Ryley,
The Camden County Custodian of Records received your Open Public Records Act request on 5/30/2017.
Please note that if you log into the system you will access the request as it was submitted to the Camden County Clerk's Office. Click on the word "here" sign in to the system. If you do not remember your password or if you never logged into the system, click on forgot password. Use your email as the login name. To access your request please click here<http://www.camdencounty.com/open-public-records-opra/>.
Should you have any questions, please contact the Custodian of Records at (856) 225-2131.
Sincerely,
Maria Efstratiades
Maria Efstratiades
Custodian of Records
Camden County
Office of Archives & Records Management
Courthouse, 11th Floor
520 Market Street
Camden, NJ 08102-1375
Phone: (856) 225-2131
E-mail: opracustodian@camdencounty.com<mailto:opracustodian@camdencounty.com>
This is an auto-generated email and has originated from an unmonitored email account. Please DO NOT REPLY. FOR FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE PLEASE GENERATE A NEW REQUEST THROUGH THE OPEN RECORDS CENTER.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
On 6/6/2017 2:52:37 PM, System Generated Message:
Message sent to: Sarah Ryley
Subject: Camden County, NJ Bounceback Notification - W010142-053017
Body:
This is an auto-generated email and has originated from an unmonitored email account. Please DO NOT REPLY. FOR FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE PLEASE GENERATE A NEW REQUEST THROUGH THE OPEN RECORDS CENTER.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
On 6/6/2017 2:52:36 PM, sarahryleyfoi@gmail.com wrote:
TO: "Camden County OPRA Center"[camdencountynj@mycusthelp.net]
Hi,
I’m confused by this response since I have submitted more than one request containing that phrase. Can you please send me the original request this is referring to?
Sorry for the trouble.
Thanks
Sarah Ryley
The Trace MediaCell: 347-324-8697sarahryleyfoi@gmail.com
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
06/06/2017
Sarah Ryley
The Trace Media
112 Berkeley Pl. #3R
Brooklyn NY 11217
RE: OPRA REQUEST of 5/30/2017, Reference # W010142-053017
Dear Sarah Ryley,
The Camden County Custodian of Records received your Open Public Records Act request on 5/30/2017. To access your request please click here<http://www.camdencounty.com/open-public-records-opra/>.
Your request for "... homicides and non-fatal shootings that have been handled by the Camden Police Department for Jan 1, 2005 through the date in which this request is filled ..." is too broad or contains insufficient information and seeks documents that are not specifically “identifiable” for the Camden County Police Department to gather a response. As such, the request submitted is a wholesale request for information that is not encompassed by the intent of OPRA as has been articulated in N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, et. seq. and MAG Entertainment v. Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, 375 N.J. Super. 534 (App. Div. 2005). This letter constitutes completion of your request.
Furthermore, please note that the Camden Police Department no longer exists. While the Camden County Police Department maintains some of the former Camden City Police Department's records, those records only exist up to April 30, 2013. Conversely, records requested of the Camden County Police Department only exist as of May 1, 2013.
For future requests for records please submit the request directly to the Custodian of Records via the web at http://www.camdencounty.com/open-public-records-opra/ or email requests to OPRA.Custodian@camdencounty.com
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, et seq. if your request for access to a government record has been denied or unfilled within the seven (7) business days required by law, you have a right to challenge the decision by the County of Camden to deny access. As provided by law, you have the right to either institute a proceeding in the Superior Court of New Jersey or file a complaint with the Government Records Council (GRC) by completing their Denial of Access Complaint Form located at the GRC’s website at www.state.nj.us/grc. You may contact the GRC by toll-free telephone at 866-850-0511, by mail at P.O. Box 819, Trenton, NJ, 08625, by e-mail at grc@dca.state.nj.us. The GRC can also answer other questions about the law. All questions regarding complaints filed in Superior Court should be directed to the Superior Court. Additionally, the Camden County Police Department informed our office that the request in its current form constitutes an overwhelming research request and to construct a database of data that would come from a variety different records of homicides and shootings.
Should you have any questions, please contact the Custodian of Records at (856) 225-2131.
Sincerely,
Maria Efstratiades
Maria Efstratiades
Custodian of Records
Camden County
Office of Archives & Records Management
Courthouse, 11th Floor
520 Market Street
Camden, NJ 08102-1375
Phone: (856) 225-2131
E-mail: opra.custodian@camdencounty.com<mailto:opracustodian@camdencounty.com>
This is an auto-generated email and has originated from an unmonitored email account. Please DO NOT REPLY. FOR FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE PLEASE GENERATE A NEW REQUEST THROUGH THE OPEN RECORDS CENTER.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
On 5/30/2017 10:24:49 AM, Steffani Lon wrote:
05/30/2017
Sarah Ryley
The Trace Media
112 Berkeley Pl. #3R
Brooklyn NY 11217
RE: OPRA REQUEST of 5/30/2017, Reference # W010142-053017
Dear Sarah Ryley,
The Camden County Custodian of Records received your Open Public Records Act request on 5/30/2017.
We received your request and it is being processes. Please note, we have no records of receiving a request from you dated 5/18/17. In an effort to expedite your request in a timely manner please submit all future requests to http://www.camdencounty.com/open-public-records-opra/ or email them to Opra.Custodian@camdencounty.com . To access your request please click here<http://www.camdencounty.com/open-public-records-opra/>.
Should you have any questions, please contact the Custodian of Records at (856) 225-2131.
Sincerely,
Steffani Lon for
Maria Efstratiades
Maria Efstratiades
Custodian of Records
Camden County
Office of Archives & Records Management
Courthouse, 11th Floor
520 Market Street
Camden, NJ 08102-1375
Phone: (856) 225-2131
E-mail: opracustodian@camdencounty.com<mailto:opracustodian@camdencounty.com>
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
On 5/30/2017 10:11:01 AM, System Generated Message:
Confirmation Message sent to: Sarah Ryley
Subject: Open Public Records Act Request :: W010142-053017
Body:
Dear Sarah Ryley:
Thank you for submitting an Open Public Records request with Camden County. Your request was given the reference number W010142-053017 for tracking purposes.
Our office will forward your request to the appropriate Department for their review and search of their files for the requested records. A written response will be send to you within seven business days or sooner depending on the type of records requested.
Please note that day one of the calculation begins the day after the custodian receives your OPRA request. This calculation applies to the agency’s actual business days of operations which are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If the agency is closed for a holiday, this date does not count towards the seven business day deadline. If any request received after the close of a business day will be deemed received on the next business day.
You may monitor the progress of your request at the link below. Additionally, you will receive an email from our office to inform you that your request has been completed and a response is posted at the below link.
Again, thank you for using the Open Public Records Center.
Open Public Records Center - http://www.camdencounty.com/open-public-records-opra/
Maria Efstratiades
Custodian of Records
From: Joe Ripa
Sent: Tuesday, June 13, 2017 9:03 AM
To: Opra Custodian <Opra.Custodian@camdencounty.com>
Subject: FW: Open Public Records Act Request: Camden PD homicide and shooting data
Importance: High
From: requests@muckrock.com<mailto:requests@muckrock.com> [mailto:requests@muckrock.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 13, 2017 5:00 AM
To: Camden County Clerk <countyclerk@camdencounty.com<mailto:countyclerk@camdencounty.com>>
Subject: RE: Open Public Records Act Request: Camden PD homicide and shooting data
June 13, 2017
Camden Police Department
This is a follow up to a previous request:
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on May 18, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
---
On June 6, 2017:
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on May 18, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
---
On May 30, 2017:
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on May 18, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
---
On May 18, 2017:
To whom it may concern:
Under the New Jersey Open Records Act I am requesting data, preferably in .csv, .xls, .txt, or .xlsx format, pertaining to homicides and non-fatal shootings that have been handled by the Camden Police Department from Jan. 1, 2005 through the date in which this request is filled.
This data should include a record for each incident, and all fields disclosable under the law, including but not limited to:
- A unique identifier for the incident (i.e. incident ID)
- Unit assigned to the investigation
- Date of the incident
- Name(s) of the victim(s)
- Date of Birth of the victim(s)
- Race of the victim(s)
- Ethnicity of the victim(s) (i.e. Hispanic or Non-Hispanic)
- Gender of the victim(s)
- Address or location of the incident
- Weapon used
- Any other data pertaining to the circumstances surrounding the incident (i.e., motive, whether it was suspected gang or drug-related, narrative of incident)
- Status of the investigation (i.e., whether a suspect has been identified and an arrest made)
- Date of arrest
- Name(s) of suspect(s)
- Date of Birth of the suspect(s)
- Race of the suspect(s)
- Ethnicity of the suspect(s) (i.e. Hispanic or Non-Hispanic)
- Gender of the suspect(s)
- Responding officer
- Detective(s) assigned to the case
- Days investigation was active (i.e. Not a cold case)
- Number of responding officers
- Number of detectives assigned to the case
- I am also requesting any data dictionaries, glossary of terms, record layouts, etc. pertaining to the above database(s), that describe the database and define the fields and codes used in the database.
If one or more of the fields I requested above is not available in the Camden Police Department’s database(s), please notify me via email and I will strike that field from my request. I am merely asking for all disclosable fields maintained in the Camden Police Department’s database(s) that track homicide and non-fatal shooting investigations.
If there are fields that I did not request, but that are still disclosable under the New Jersey Open Records Act, my request asks that you include those fields as well.
I would like to receive this information in digital, spreadsheet form, preferably in .csv, .xls, .txt, or .xlsx., which I am entitled to under See N.J.S.A. 47:1A5(d). (A custodian shall permit access to a government record and provide a copy thereof in the medium requested if the public agency maintains the record in that medium. If the public agency does not maintain the record in the medium requested, the custodian shall either convert the record to the medium requested or provide a copy in some other meaningful medium.)
As a member of the media reporting on matters in the public interest, I am requesting a fee waiver and an expediting of my request. Since I am requesting records in their original electronic format whenever possible, I expect the costs, if any, to be limited. (Access to electronic records and non-printed materials shall be provided free of charge, but the public agency may charge for the actual costs of any needed supplies such as computer discs. See N.J.S.A. 47:1A 5(b).)
The New Jersey Open Records Act requires a response soon as possible, but not later than seven business days after receiving the request, provided that the record is currently available and not in storage or archived.
If you redact any fields in the database, please cite the specific fields and the exemption you feel justifies the refusal to release the information.
I am requesting that communication regarding this request be conducted via email, and that the request be filled via email, which I am entitled to under the law.
Thank you for considering my request.
Sincerely,
Sarah Ryley
Reporter, The Trace Media
112 Berkeley Pl. #3R
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Cell: 347-324-8697
sarahryleyfoi@gmail.com<mailto:sarahryleyfoi@gmail.com>
------
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Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/accounts/agency_login/camden-police-department-8723/camden-pd-homicide-and-shooting-data-37815/?uuid-login=340ab8b5-7c95-4222-825e-19d167fd37dc&email=countyclerk%40camdencounty.com#agency-reply
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------
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From: MuckRock
Hi there,
This request was assigned W010142-053017, but we're having difficulty accessing any materials that may have been placed in the online portal, because an account was not created on this end until just now. Could you please assist in providing the materials sent to the account associated with requests@muckrock.com?
Thanks so much,
Beryl
From: Opra Custodian
Hello,
In the letter emailed to sarahryleyfoi@gmail.com<mailto:sarahryleyfoi@gmail.com> we explained that the request was too broad, therefore no records were attached. I have enclosed a copy of the letter my office emailed on June 6, 2017 for your reference.
Steffani Lon for
Maria Efstratiades
Custodian of Records
Office of Archives & Records Management
Courthouse, 11th Floor
520 Market Street
Camden, New Jersey 08102
(856) 225-2131 Telephone
opracustodian@camdencounty.com<mailto:opracustodian@camdencounty.com>
NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and delete or destroy all copies of the original message.
“06/06/2017
Sarah Ryley
The Trace Media
112 Berkeley Pl. #3R
Brooklyn NY 11217
RE: OPRA REQUEST of 5/30/2017, Reference # W010142-053017
Dear Sarah Ryley,
The Camden County Custodian of Records received your Open Public Records Act request on 5/30/2017. To access your request please click here<http://www.camdencounty.com/open-public-records-opra/>.
Your request for "... homicides and non-fatal shootings that have been handled by the Camden Police Department for Jan 1, 2005 through the date in which this request is filled ..." is too broad or contains insufficient information and seeks documents that are not specifically “identifiable” for the Camden County Police Department to gather a response. As such, the request submitted is a wholesale request for information that is not encompassed by the intent of OPRA as has been articulated in N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, et. seq. and MAG Entertainment v. Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, 375 N.J. Super. 534 (App. Div. 2005). This letter constitutes completion of your request.
Furthermore, please note that the Camden Police Department no longer exists. While the Camden County Police Department maintains some of the former Camden City Police Department's records, those records only exist up to April 30, 2013. Conversely, records requested of the Camden County Police Department only exist as of May 1, 2013.
For future requests for records please submit the request directly to the Custodian of Records via the web at http://www.camdencounty.com/open-public-records-opra/ or email requests to OPRA.Custodian@camdencounty.com
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, et seq. if your request for access to a government record has been denied or unfilled within the seven (7) business days required by law, you have a right to challenge the decision by the County of Camden to deny access. As provided by law, you have the right to either institute a proceeding in the Superior Court of New Jersey or file a complaint with the Government Records Council (GRC) by completing their Denial of Access Complaint Form located at the GRC’s website at www.state.nj.us/grc. You may contact the GRC by toll-free telephone at 866-850-0511, by mail at P.O. Box 819, Trenton, NJ, 08625, by e-mail at grc@dca.state.nj.us. The GRC can also answer other questions about the law. All questions regarding complaints filed in Superior Court should be directed to the Superior Court. Additionally, the Camden County Police Department informed our office that the request in its current form constitutes an overwhelming research request and to construct a database of data that would come from a variety different records of homicides and shootings.
Should you have any questions, please contact the Custodian of Records at (856) 225-2131.
Sincerely,
Maria Efstratiades
Maria Efstratiades
Custodian of Records
Camden County
Office of Archives & Records Management
Courthouse, 11th Floor
520 Market Street
Camden, NJ 08102-1375
Phone: (856) 225-2131
E-mail: opra.custodian@camdencounty.com<mailto:opracustodian@camdencounty.com>”
-
~WRD000
From: Sarah Ryley
Thank you, I will refile.
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 May 18, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Opra Custodian
Hello,
As stated in the response letter dated June 6, 2017, this request was too broad and has been denied. You will need to submit a new request with the pertinent information.
Steffani Lon
Office of Archives & Records Management
11th Floor Courthouse
520 Market St.
Camden, NJ 08102
Phone: 856-225-2131
Steffani.Lon@camdencounty.com<mailto:Steffani.Lon@camdencounty.com>
NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and delete or destroy all copies of the original message.
-
~WRD000