Request for Dashcam Videos, Body-Worn Camera Footage, and Arrest Records of Nathan D. Taylor from East Lampeter Township Police

East Lampeter Township Police Department
2250 Old Philadelphia Pike
Lancaster, PA 17602

Date: June 2, 2023

Attn: FOIA Officer

Subject: Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request – Dashcam Videos, Body-Worn Camera Footage, and Additional Records

Dear FOIA Officer,

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552, and in accordance with the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. §§ 67.101-67.3104, I hereby request access to and copies of all records held by the East Lampeter Township Police Department pertaining to the arrest and charges of Nathan D. Taylor, as detailed in the incident described below:

Name: Nathan D. Taylor
Case/Arrest Number: 2304022940-35
Date of Arrest: April 9, 2023
Location of Arrest: 2100 block Lincoln Hwy East, Lancaster, PA 17602

For the purpose of this request, the records I seek include, but are not limited to:

Dashcam videos or any other video footage from police vehicles involved in the pursuit and arrest of Nathan D. Taylor on April 9, 2023.

Body-worn camera (BWC) footage worn by the arresting officers during the incident involving Nathan D. Taylor.

Incident reports, arrest reports, booking records, court documents, and any other relevant documents associated with the arrest and subsequent charges of Nathan D. Taylor. This includes any records related to the charges of Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Officer (M-2), Indecent Assault without Consent (M2), and Failure to Comply With Registration of Sexual Offender (F-2).

My request is made under the following laws:

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552, which establishes the right of access to federal agency records, unless the requested records fall under one of the nine exemptions listed in the statute.

The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. §§ 67.101-67.3104, which grants the public the right to access and obtain copies of records held by Commonwealth agencies, including law enforcement agencies, unless the requested records fall under the exceptions outlined in the law.

The Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA), 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq., which governs the dissemination and access to criminal history record information, including the release of arrest and court records.

Should any portion of the requested records be deemed exempt from disclosure, I request the release of any reasonably segregable non-exempt portions in accordance with the applicable laws. If an entire document is exempt, I request a justification, citing specific FOIA exemptions or provisions of the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law and CHRIA.

Please note your obligation under the law not to destroy any records potentially responsive to this request. Any withholding, redaction, or destruction of responsive records without proper justification constitutes a violation of the FOIA, the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, and CHRIA, and is subject to litigation.

Enclosed is a letter requesting a fee waiver for the processing of this request. As an independent investigative journalist associated with TransparencyReport.pw, I believe that the information I seek is in the public interest, and its disclosure contributes significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the government.

If the enclosed waiver is not accepted and there are any potential charges in excess of $200 associated with fulfilling my request, please inform me in advance.

As stipulated by the FOIA, the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, and CHRIA, I look forward to your response within the prescribed timelines outlined in each respective law.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
Jordan Lassiter
Independent Investigative Journalist
TransparencyReport.pw
Email: Jordan@Lassiter.eu
Phone: +1 845-218-0299

Enclosure: Fee Waiver Request Letter

Please be aware: All communications related to this request, including incoming and outgoing communications, will be publicly available on MuckRock.com. Additionally, any correspondence in relation to this request will be instantly published on the platform.