Controlled Substance Seizure Reports (Haverhill Police Department)
| Submitted | May 28, 2013 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: George LeVines
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L. c.66, ยง10, I hereby request the following records:
All controlled substance seizure reports from January 1, 2006 to the date that this request is processed.
The documents I am requesting are referenced here (http://www.sec.state.ma.us/arc/arcpdf/MA_Municipal_Records_Retention_Manual.pdf) under the heading "Police Department" item 16.014.
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 fees cannot be waived, 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,
George LeVines
From: Deputy Donald E. Thompson
Mr. George LeVines
I am in receipt of your request for certain controlled substance seizure
reports. As I read this you are interested in seizures where no arrest was
made. Our department will be unable to waive the costs associated with your
request. I will send you an estimate of the cost as soon we can check the
records and the IT process.
From: Deputy Donald E. Thompson
From: George LeVines
Deputy Chief Thompson,
Would you please provide a more detailed breakdown of your cost estimate.
Also please advise how narrowing the request might help decrease the burden and cost to your department.
Thank you,
George
From: Deputy Donald E. Thompson
I can not really advise you how to narrow the request because I am not sure
what you are looking for. Could you tell me what documents you want? Is it
drug certs for the past 6 years, lab receipts, police reports. Is it for
certain type of seizures etc?
From: George LeVines
Sorry for the delay in this response,
Is it possible to get an example copy of each type of documents you listed?
Thank you,
George
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 28, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thank you for your help.
From: Deputy Donald E. Thompson
I can not send you samples of records unless you want an estimate of cost.
However as an explanation, A report documents the circumstances where the
drugs were seized. It may be 1 page or may be 20 pages. A lab receipt is
issued by the State Lab documenting that drugs were submitted to them. A
cert is a record from the State Lab showing that items received (substances)
were analyzed and what they are etc.
From: George LeVines
I would like the records described in the last sentence:
The "certs".
"A cert is a record from the State Lab showing that items received (substances)
were analyzed and what they are etc."
Thank you,
George
From: Deputy Donald E. Thompson
I believe that there are approximately 1,000 drug certifications available
from the time frame you requested. At fifty cents per page the cost
associated with the request would be $500.00 Beyond that there are a number
of certifications that are currently active criminal cases. Those would be
exempt (exemption f.) If you wish to obtain these copies please notify me.
From: George LeVines
Can we narrow it down to the last year?
From: Deputy Donald E. Thompson
I will get a number for you shortly. By the last year do you mean 2013 ?
If that is the case there will not be many as most are still open cases.
From: George LeVines
That's fine lets do whatever has been closed since last January.
From: Deputy Donald E. Thompson
Looks like we have 6 for 2013 that have been closed. So at 50 cents per
page that would be $3.00. If you would send a check made out to the
Haverhill Police Department, care of Deputy Chief Thompson. I will send you
the records. Make sure that you send along your address.
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