Israel trip funding approval
It is a clone of this request.
| Submitted | July 1, 2022 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Matthew Petti
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Maryland Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
All documents sufficient to show when Homeland Security Grant Program funds were used to pay for travel to or training in Israel during the calendar years 2010 through 2020.
The Homeland Security Grant Program includes the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI), and Operation Stonegarden (OPSG).
You may find attached below an example of the type of document I am looking for. The example is a Long Beach Police Department document announcing that three officers have been authorized to use $16,500 in UASI funding to attend the 2016 Western States Counter-Terrorism Seminar in Israel. The document includes details of how the funding may be spent.
I made the same request to the Baltimore County Police Department on May 27, 2022. The department's Legal Section responded on May 31, 2022 that "BCoPD is not the custodian for the requested records. The Homeland Security Grants are issued to and administered by the Baltimore County Fire Department." You may also find the Legal Section letter attached below.
To be clear, I am requesting documents on Homeland Security Grant Program funds used to pay for any Baltimore County employees' travel to or training in Israel, not just the Fire Department.
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,
Matthew Petti
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Maryland Public Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 4, 2022. 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: Maryland Emergency Management Agency
Trying again, hopefully with the correct email.
[image: The Maryland State Logo with the phrase "Changing Maryland For The
Better."]
*Edward J. McDonough*
Public Information Officer
Communication and Outreach
Maryland Emergency Management Agency
5401 Rue Saint Lo Drive
Reisterstown, MD 21136
(410) 517-3632 <410-517-3632> (O)
(410) 446-3333 <410-466-3333> (M)
Website <https://mema.maryland.gov/> | Facebook
<https://www.facebook.com/MDMEMA> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/mdmema>
Click here to complete a three question customer experience survey.
<http://www.doit.state.md.us/selectsurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?agencycode=MEMA&SurveyID=86M2956#>
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Ed McDonough -MDEM- <ed.mcdonough@maryland.gov>
Date: Fri, Jul 15, 2022 at 1:58 PM
Subject: MPIA request
To: <131126-10630106@requests.mucktock.com>
Cc: Jorge Castillo -MEMA- <jorge.castillo@maryland.gov>
To whom it may concern,
We recently received a snail mail Maryland Public Information Act request
regarding grant funds used by a jurisdiction in Maryland to attend training
events in Israel.
Using traditional mail for these requests slows our ability to respond. For
starters, our facility is undergoing renovation and most of us are working
from home or alternative locations. This required the added step of
having someone scan the document and email it to me. Additionally, the
unwieldy email address and urls on your request are impossible to link to
from the scanned copy we have received.
Can you please mail the request to myself and Jorge Castillo (copied) so we
can begin processing your request.
Many thanks,
Ed
[image: The Maryland State Logo with the phrase "Changing Maryland For The
Better."]
*Edward J. McDonough*
Public Information Officer
Communication and Outreach
Maryland Emergency Management Agency
5401 Rue Saint Lo Drive
Reisterstown, MD 21136
(410) 517-3632 <410-517-3632> (O)
(410) 446-3333 <410-466-3333> (M)
Website <https://mema.maryland.gov/> | Facebook
<https://www.facebook.com/MDMEMA> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/mdmema>
Click here to complete a three question customer experience survey.
<http://www.doit.state.md.us/selectsurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?agencycode=MEMA&SurveyID=86M2956#>
From: Maryland Emergency Management Agency
I am working with our grants managment staff to gather the informaton you requested. You referenced two attachments: a copy of a similar document you received from Long Beach and a letter from the Baltimore County Police Department. I could not find either attachment. Please resend them, if you could. Thank you.
From: Matthew Petti
Dear Jorge,
Apologies for the missing attachments. Here they are!
Best,
Matthew
From: Maryland Emergency Management Agency
Received,
Thank you!
J,
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <requests@muckrock.com>
Date: Mon, Jul 18, 2022 at 7:19 PM
Subject: RE: Maryland Public Information Act Request: Israel trip funding
approval
To: <jorge.castillo@maryland.gov>
Maryland Emergency Management Agency
PIA Office
Camp Fretterd Military Reservation
5401 Rue Saint Lo Drive
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/5401+Rue+Saint+Lo+Drive+Reisterstown,+MD+21136?entry=gmail&source=g>
Reisterstown, MD 21136
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/5401+Rue+Saint+Lo+Drive+Reisterstown,+MD+21136?entry=gmail&source=g>
July 18, 2022
This is a follow up to a previous request:
Dear Jorge,
Apologies for the missing attachments. Here they are!
Best,
Matthew
View request history, see two related attachments, upload responsive
documents, and report problems here:
https://www.muckrock.com/
If prompted for a passcode, please enter:
••••••••
Attachments:
• Letter_5.31.22.pdf
• 5eb357a6-9769-4d49-b26d-7d75d7576d41.pdf
Filed via MuckRock.com
E-mail (Preferred): requests@muckrock.com
PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESS
For mailed responses, please address (see note):
MuckRock News
DEPT MR 131128
263 Huntington Ave
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/263+Huntington+Ave+Boston,+MA+02115?entry=gmail&source=g>
Boston, MA 02115
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/263+Huntington+Ave+Boston,+MA+02115?entry=gmail&source=g>
PLEASE NOTE: This request is not filed by a MuckRock staff member, but is
being sent through MuckRock by the above in order to better track, share,
and manage public records requests. Also note that improperly addressed
(i.e., with the requester's name rather than "MuckRock News" and the
department number) requests might be returned as undeliverable.
---
On July 18, 2022:
Subject:
I am working with our grants managment staff to gather the informaton you
requested. You referenced two attachments: a copy of a similar document you
received from Long Beach and a letter from the Baltimore County Police
Department. I could not find either attachment. Please resend them, if you
could. Thank you.
---
On July 15, 2022:
Subject: Fwd: MPIA request
Trying again, hopefully with the correct email.
[image: The Maryland State Logo with the phrase "Changing Maryland For The
Better."]
*Edward J. McDonough*
Public Information Officer
Communication and Outreach
Maryland Emergency Management Agency
5401 Rue Saint Lo Drive
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/5401+Rue+Saint+Lo+Drive+%0D%0A%0D%0A+Reisterstown,+MD+21136?entry=gmail&source=g>
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/5401+Rue+Saint+Lo+Drive+%0D%0A%0D%0A+Reisterstown,+MD+21136?entry=gmail&source=g>
Reisterstown, MD 21136
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/5401+Rue+Saint+Lo+Drive+%0D%0A%0D%0A+Reisterstown,+MD+21136?entry=gmail&source=g>
(410) 517-3632 <410-517-3632> (O)
(410) 446-3333 <410-466-3333> (M)
Website <https://mema.maryland.gov/> | Facebook
<https://www.facebook.com/MDMEMA> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/mdmema>
Click here to complete a three question customer experience survey.
<
http://www.doit.state.md.us/selectsurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?agencycode=MEMA&SurveyID=86M2956#
>
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Ed McDonough -MDEM- <ed.mcdonough@maryland.gov>
Date: Fri, Jul 15, 2022 at 1:58 PM
Subject: MPIA request
To: <131126-10630106@requests.mucktock.com>
Cc: Jorge Castillo -MEMA- <jorge.castillo@maryland.gov>
To whom it may concern,
We recently received a snail mail Maryland Public Information Act request
regarding grant funds used by a jurisdiction in Maryland to attend training
events in Israel.
Using traditional mail for these requests slows our ability to respond. For
starters, our facility is undergoing renovation and most of us are working
from home or alternative locations. This required the added step of
having someone scan the document and email it to me. Additionally, the
unwieldy email address and urls on your request are impossible to link to
from the scanned copy we have received.
Can you please mail the request to myself and Jorge Castillo (copied) so we
can begin processing your request.
Many thanks,
Ed
[image: The Maryland State Logo with the phrase "Changing Maryland For The
Better."]
*Edward J. McDonough*
Public Information Officer
Communication and Outreach
Maryland Emergency Management Agency
5401 Rue Saint Lo Drive
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/5401+Rue+Saint+Lo+Drive+%0D%0A%0D%0A+Reisterstown,+MD+21136?entry=gmail&source=g>
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/5401+Rue+Saint+Lo+Drive+%0D%0A%0D%0A+Reisterstown,+MD+21136?entry=gmail&source=g>
Reisterstown, MD 21136
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/5401+Rue+Saint+Lo+Drive+%0D%0A%0D%0A+Reisterstown,+MD+21136?entry=gmail&source=g>
(410) 517-3632 <410-517-3632> (O)
(410) 446-3333 <410-466-3333> (M)
Website <https://mema.maryland.gov/> | Facebook
<https://www.facebook.com/MDMEMA> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/mdmema>
Click here to complete a three question customer experience survey.
<
http://www.doit.state.md.us/selectsurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?agencycode=MEMA&SurveyID=86M2956#
>
---
On July 1, 2022:
Subject: Maryland Public Information Act Request: Israel trip funding
approval
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Maryland Public Information Act, I hereby request the
following records:
All documents sufficient to show when Homeland Security Grant Program funds
were used to pay for travel to or training in Israel during the calendar
years 2010 through 2020.
The Homeland Security Grant Program includes the State Homeland Security
Program (SHSP), the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI), and Operation
Stonegarden (OPSG).
You may find attached below an example of the type of document I am looking
for. The example is a Long Beach Police Department document announcing that
three officers have been authorized to use $16,500 in UASI funding to
attend the 2016 Western States Counter-Terrorism Seminar in Israel. The
document includes details of how the funding may be spent.
I made the same request to the Baltimore County Police Department on May
27, 2022. The department's Legal Section responded on May 31, 2022 that
"BCoPD is not the custodian for the requested records. The Homeland
Security Grants are issued to and administered by the Baltimore County Fire
Department." You may also find the Legal Section letter attached below.
To be clear, I am requesting documents on Homeland Security Grant Program
funds used to pay for any Baltimore County employees' travel to or training
in Israel, not just the Fire Department.
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,
Matthew Petti
View request history, see two related attachments, upload responsive
documents, and report problems here:
https://www.muckrock.com/
If prompted for a passcode, please enter:
••••••••
Attachments:
• Letter_5.31.22.pdf
• 5eb357a6-9769-4d49-b26d-7d75d7576d41.pdf
Filed via MuckRock.com
E-mail (Preferred): requests@muckrock.com
PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESS
For mailed responses, please address (see note):
MuckRock News
DEPT MR 131128
263 Huntington Ave
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/263+Huntington+Ave+Boston,+MA+02115?entry=gmail&source=g>
Boston, MA 02115
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/263+Huntington+Ave+Boston,+MA+02115?entry=gmail&source=g>
PLEASE NOTE: This request is not filed by a MuckRock staff member, but is
being sent through MuckRock by the above in order to better track, share,
and manage public records requests. Also note that improperly addressed
(i.e., with the requester's name rather than "MuckRock News" and the
department number) requests might be returned as undeliverable.
--
[image: The Maryland State Logo with the phrase "Changing Maryland For The
Better."]
Jorge Eduardo Castillo, M.B.A.
Branch Manager
Communications & Outreach
Maryland Department of Emergency Management
5401 Rue Saint Lo Drive
Reisterstown, MD 21136
(443) 381-3518 (M)
Website <http://mdem.maryland.gov> | Facebook
<https://www.facebook.com/MDMEMA> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/mdmema>
Click here to complete a three question customer experience survey.
<http://www.doit.state.md.us/selectsurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?agencycode=MEMA&SurveyID=86M2956#>
From: Maryland Emergency Management Agency
To whom it may concern,
Our grants management team reviewed the grant history for the time period
indicated in your MPIA request and we could find no grants related to your
request.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if yiu have an further requests.
Ed McDonough
PIO
[image: The Maryland State Logo with the phrase "Changing Maryland For The
Better."]
*Edward J. McDonough*
Public Information Officer
Communication and Outreach
Maryland Emergency Management Agency
5401 Rue Saint Lo Drive
Reisterstown, MD 21136
(410) 517-3632 <410-517-3632> (O)
(410) 446-3333 <410-466-3333> (M)
Website <https://mema.maryland.gov/> | Facebook
<https://www.facebook.com/MDMEMA> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/mdmema>
Click here to complete a three question customer experience survey.
<http://www.doit.state.md.us/selectsurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?agencycode=MEMA&SurveyID=86M2956#>
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