Records request from BuzzFeed News: Incident reports for crimes of aggravated assault
| Submitted | Feb. 12, 2018 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Peter Aldhous
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Iowa Open Records Law (Code Chapter 22), I hereby request the following records:
Police incident or arrest reports for all crimes of aggravated assault recorded in 2016 (including descriptions of the incident).
Because aggregated statistics on these crimes are reported annually to the FBI under the Uniform Crime Reporting program by your agency, I believe you retain these records.
This request is made as part of the Documenting Hate Project, a collaboration involving dozens of news organizations including BuzzFeed News, led by ProPublica. Coverage from the project is compiled at https://projects.propublica.org/graphics/hatecrimes#hatecrime-coverage.
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 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Peter Aldhous
From: Davenport Police Department
Mr. Aldhous,
My name is Lyndsey Seifert, I am the Records Bureau Supervisor at the Davenport Police Department. I received your faxed in FOIA request reference the number of aggravated assaults reported in our city in 2016. Our department reported 412 aggravated assaults in 2016. To fulfill your request, for copies of the reports and descriptions, a payment will be due, the cost is determined on the time it will take to compile each report and make the standard redactions for public viewing ($32 per hour rounded to the nearest ΒΌ hour for each of the 412). Upon completion you will be notified of the cost. Please note that this office has a 20 day turn around to fulfill the FOIA request. Additionally because you have requested that these reports to be provided electronically you will need to provide a flash drive that can be mailed back to you.
The address for the payment is:
Davenport Police Department
Attn: Records Bureau
416 Harrison St.
Davenport, IA 52801
Please let me know if you wish to proceed.
Best Regards,
Lyndsey Seifert
Davenport Police Department
Records Bureau Supervisor
Phone: 563-326-6183
Fax: 563-326-6131
From: Peter Aldhous
Attention: Lyndsey Seifert (also sent via fax)
Thanks for your note of Feb 23 explaining that reviewing my request will cost $32 per hour. I must account against an overall budget for my project, so are you able to estimate the number of hours required to fill this request, and give me a full cost estimate?
Please note, however, that your letter said there were approximately 412 reports responsive to my request. According to the FBI's UCR data, Midland actually reported 292 aggravated assaults in 2016, see https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2016/crime-in-the-u.s.-2016/tables/table-6/table-6-state-cuts/iowa.xls. Are you able to determine why there is a discrepancy?
One more thing: If the records are easily segregable, it is unlikely that records classified as domestic violence are relevant to my project. So if costs/time are reduced by excluding these records, please do so (noting how many records were excluded).
If you have any further queries, please let me know.
From: Davenport Police Department
I will try to approximate how long it will take to compile all of those reports and get back to you, every report will have to be printed and have standard redactions made. Reference your second point, you state that Midland reported 292 Agg Assualts in 2016 this is Davenport PD so it would appear you may have incorrect information. As far as removing domestic violence cases; our cases are not specifically broken out by domestic or not an assault is an assault that would be a circumstance of the crime so that will not lessen the number of reports.
I will be in touch.
Regards,
Lyndsey Seifert
Davenport Police Department
Records Bureau Supervisor
563-326-6183
-
~WRD000
From: Peter Aldhous
Sorry Lyndsey, there was an error in what I sent, because I was modifying a response to another police department! According to FBI UCR, Davenport reported 500 crimes of aggravated assault in 2016 (see https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2016/crime-in-the-u.s.-2016/tables/table-6/table-6-state-cuts/iowa.xls), whereas your figure was 412.
From: Davenport Police Department
Mr. Aldhous,
Further editing is often completed after submissions are made for the year. Reference your request for an approximate cost; this request will likely be well over $700 as we had a request such as this one several months ago that was for a lot less reports and it was over $700. Please let me know if you would like to proceed.
Lyndsey
-
~WRD000
From: Peter Aldhous
Thanks Lyndsey,
Thanks. I was anticipating you would be able to provide a full cost estimate, based on the number of hours anticipated to fill this request. This is what I'm getting from other police departments. If you do that, I will able to pay any deposit that may be required.
It would also be helpful if you could process one or two sample reports, just so I can review the extent of the information I'm likely to receive.
Can we proceed on that basis?
Sincerely,
--
Peter Aldhous, PhD
Science reporter | BuzzFeed News
tel: 415 800 3471
cell: 415 503 7323
peter.aldhous@buzzfeed.com
@paldhous
www.peteraldhous.com
From: Davenport Police Department
Mr. Aldhous,
There is no way for me to give a full cost estimate as I cannot anticipate how long this will take; I would say at the least it will be 40 hours. I will have to get back to you on the deposit amount for a request such as this one. I will see about pulling some sample reports for you.
Lyndsey
-
~WRD000
From: Peter Aldhous
Thank you!
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. 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: Davenport Police Department
This request is in progress.
-
~WRD000
From: Davenport Police Department
Mr. Aldhous,
Upon researching the information your request specifies, a complete cost estimate has been calculated. The cost estimate is $8016.00. There are 334 cases that are available for release with standard redactions. The cost is $48 per hour to prepare the request. We have estimated that it will take 30 minutes per case to prepare for release. The estimated time to prepare the 334 cases at 30 minutes each is 167 hours, making the total estimated cost equal to $8016. Your request will require a deposit of $5000. We will begin fulfilling your request upon receipt of your deposit. The remaining $3016.00 is due upon completion. The files will be delivered upon full receipt of payment.
If you choose to proceed please mail the payment to:
Davenport Police Department
Attn: Records Bureau / Lyndsey Seifert
416 Harrison St.
Davenport, IA 52801
Best Regards,
Lyndsey Seifert
From: Peter Aldhous
Attention: Lyndsey Seifert
Dear Lyndsey,
I have made similar requests to 30 police departments across the nation, and the estimate here seems excessive.
For example:
Mesquite in Texas provided 884 pages of records, with 5 hours of labor, at a total cost of $184.40
Naperville in Illinois provided 234 pages of records at no cost.
Sandy Springs in Georgia provided 93 pages or records at a total cost of $32
Can you explain why you estimate this request will require 167 hours to process? 30 minutes seems a very long time to read a single report and make standard redactions. And can you explain why your hourly cost has increased from $32, in your first letter, to $48?
Sincerely,
--
Peter Aldhous, PhD
Science reporter | BuzzFeed News
tel: 415 800 3471
cell: 415 503 7323
peter.aldhous@buzzfeed.com
@paldhous
www.peteraldhous.com
From: Davenport Police Department
You have requested all of the complete reports. Those reports have to be reviewed and redacted and that is being estimated at 30 mins per report. Our charge for preparing police reports is $32 per hour. Upon receiving your first request my understanding was that you were only requiring a number not the complete reports leading to the lesser amount.
Regards,
Lyndsey Seifert
Davenport Police Department
Records Bureau Supervisor
563-326-6183
-
~WRD000
From: Peter Aldhous
Thanks. All of those other requests quoted are for full reports, too, and required nothing like 30 mins per report to process. I'm also still confused by your estimate of $48 per hour in your email of April 20.
I simply don't have a budget that can extend to thousands of dollars. Nevertheless, that vast differences in the costs being quoted by different police departments is very informative, and may form part of my story.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. 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 Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. 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 Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. 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 Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. 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 Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. 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 Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. 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 Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. 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 Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 12, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Davenport Police Department
Dr. Aldhous,
The quote provided previously still stands. Upon researching the information your request specifies, a complete cost estimate has been calculated. The cost estimate is $8016.00. There are 334 cases that are available for release with standard redactions. The cost is $48 per hour to prepare the request. We have estimated that it will take 30 minutes per case to prepare for release. The estimated time to prepare the 334 cases at 30 minutes each is 167 hours, making the total estimated cost equal to $8016. Your request will require a deposit of $5000. We will begin fulfilling your request upon receipt of your deposit. The remaining $3016.00 is due upon completion. The files will be delivered upon full receipt of payment.
Can you explain why you estimate this request will require 167 hours to process? 30 minutes seems a very long time to read a single report and make standard redactions. 30 minutes is an estimate only and the final fee would reflect that in the final cost.
And can you explain why your hourly cost has increased from $32, in your first letter, to $48? Our hourly cost did increase to $48 since the time of this request but the $32 per hour would be honored if you choose to proceed with your request.
I cannot speak to the fees for the other departments you have listed below. Every police department has a fee structure that they adhere to, the estimate that was provided to you is ours.
The deposit fee stands.
If you choose to proceed please mail the payment to:
Davenport Police Department
Attn: Records Bureau / Lyndsey Seifert
416 Harrison St.
Davenport, IA 52801
Best Regards,
Lyndsey Seifert
-
~WRD000