Records request from BuzzFeed News: Incident reports for crimes of aggravated assault
| Tracking # |
M022998-021318 |
| Submitted | Feb. 12, 2018 |
| Est. Completion | Aug. 13, 2018 |
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Communications
From: Peter Aldhous
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, 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: Midland Police Department
Dear Peter Aldhous,
Thank you for registering with the Public Records Center. Please log in to the Public Records Center to update any contact or password information and to track the progress of your request.
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From: Midland Police Department
Dear Mr. Aldhous:
Thank you for your interest in obtaining public records held by the City of Midland. Your request was submitted to this office on February 13, 2018 and given the reference number M022998-021318 for tracking purposes.
Your request will be processed as soon as possible
You can monitor the progress of your request by following this link My Records Center (CustomerHome.aspx) . You will receive an email once your request has been completed.
Thank you for using the City of Midland Public Records Center.
Public Information Act Coordinator
From: Midland Police Department
Dear Mr. Aldhous,
The City of Midland received a public information request from you on February 13, 2018 in which you request records related to:
Person(s) involved:
Date of Incident: 2016
Location of Incident:
Report Number (if known):
Records Requested: Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, 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.?
Please see the attached regarding your request.
Sincerely,
Tammi Casey
Public Information Act Coordinator | City Attorney's Office
O. 432-685-7257
City of Midland
300 N. Loraine | P.O. Box 1152 | Midland, TX 79702
From: Peter Aldhous
Dear Tammi,
Thanks for your reply. I just called and left messages to try and obtain clarification of some of the points made in your response letter.
Could we speak by phone? My contact details are below.
Best wishes,
--
Peter Aldhous, PhD
Science reporter | BuzzFeed News
tel: 415 800 3471
cell: 415 503 7323
peter.aldhous@buzzfeed.com
@paldhous
www.peteraldhous.com
From: Peter Aldhous
Attention: Stephen D. Gates
Further to our telephone conversation earlier this week, and your letter of Feb 27, I can confirm:
* I am seeking each individual report, not a summary listing.
* I wish to exclude confidential information and information for which the City otherwise determines that a ruling from the Attorney General of Texas is necessary or appropriate and authorize the City to remove or redact such information without seeking a ruling from the Attorney General.
* to the extent any reports are related to pending investigations or prosecutions, I seek only the basic information contain in such reports.
Please note, however, that your letter said there were approximately 88 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/texas.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.
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: Midland Police Department
Dear Mr. Aldhous,
Please see the attached regarding your request.
Tammi Casey
Public Information Act Coordinator | City Attorney's Office
O. 432-685-7257
[Signature]<http://www.midlandtexas.gov/>
[FaceBook-icon] <https://www.facebook.com/CityofMidlandTX> [Twitter-icon] <https://twitter.com/cityofmidland> [Youtube-icon] <https://www.youtube.com/user/CityofMidland>
City of Midland
300 N. Loraine | P.O. Box 1152 | Midland, TX 79702
From: Peter Aldhous
Attention: Tammi Casey and Stephen Gates
Please excuse my delay in replying - I am currently defending a legal action in Toronto, which has prevented me from responding until now.
I accept the charges for this request, however I will not be able to raise a check before Mon Mar 26. So by the time that reaches you, more than ten business days may have elapsed from the receipt of your letter. I'd be very grateful if you could keep my request open. However, if you need me to submit a new request, please let me know.
Please let me know who the check should be made payable to, and the address to which it should be sent.
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: Midland Police Department
Mr. Aldhous:
We received your voicemail message regarding your public information request. Yesterday, the City uploaded to your account on the City's Public Records Request Center a letter concerning your request. Attached is the letter that was uploaded. Information about the City's Public Records Request Center was e-mailed to you at requests@muckrock.com on February 13, 2018. Also attached are step by step instructions on how to set up your account to access the Public Records Request Center. Please contact Stephen Gates if you have any questions about the attached letter.
Respectfully,
Tammi Casey
Public Information Act Coordinator | City Attorney's Office
O. 432-685-7257
City of Midland
300 N. Loraine | P.O. Box 1152 | Midland, TX 79702
-
CSDQCBM0Y
From: Peter Aldhous
Attention: Tammi Casey; Stephen Gates
Please excuse the delay since my last correspondence regarding public records request M022998-021318 - I'm afraid I was in Canada for a month involved in a court case.
I was writing to accept the charges and make the deposit payment of $550. However, I see that because of the delay my request is now considered withdrawn. Is it possible to reactivate that request and proceed on the basis previously discussed?
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: Midland Police Department
Dear Mr. Aldhous,
Please see the attached letter regarding your request for information.
Respectfully,
Tammi Casey
Public Information Act Coordinator | City Attorney's Office
O. 432-685-7257
[Signature]<http://www.midlandtexas.gov/>
[FaceBook-icon] <https://www.facebook.com/CityofMidlandTX> [Twitter-icon] <https://twitter.com/cityofmidland> [Youtube-icon] <https://www.youtube.com/user/CityofMidland>
City of Midland
300 N. Loraine | P.O. Box 1152 | Midland, TX 79702
From: Peter Aldhous
Attention: Stephen Gates and Tammi Casey
Thank you. I accept the charges. I have asked for a check for $550 to be raised by my colleagues in New York. It should be with you shortly.
Sincerely,
Peter Aldhous
From: Midland Police Department
Mr. Aldhous
Please see the letter attached regarding your request.
Tammi Casey
Public Information Act Coordinator | City Attorney's Office
O. 432-685-7257
[Signature]<http://www.midlandtexas.gov/>
[FaceBook-icon] <https://www.facebook.com/CityofMidlandTX> [Twitter-icon] <https://twitter.com/cityofmidland> [Youtube-icon] <https://www.youtube.com/user/CityofMidland>
City of Midland
300 N. Loraine | P.O. Box 1152 | Midland, TX 79702
From: Midland Police Department
Mr. Aldhous
Please see the letter attached regarding your request.
Tammi Casey
Public Information Act Coordinator | City Attorney's Office
O. 432-685-7257
[Signature]<http://www.midlandtexas.gov/>
[FaceBook-icon] <https://www.facebook.com/CityofMidlandTX> [Twitter-icon] <https://twitter.com/cityofmidland> [Youtube-icon] <https://www.youtube.com/user/CityofMidland>
City of Midland
300 N. Loraine | P.O. Box 1152 | Midland, TX 79702
From: Midland Police Department
A copy of documents responsive to the request.
There are too many files to display on this communication. See all files
From: Midland Police Department
--- Please respond above this line ---
RE: City of Midland Public Information Request Reference # M022998-021318.
Dear Mr. Aldhous,
Your public information request received by the City has been processed. lease review the "How to Set Up Your City of Midland Public Records Center Account" attached to this email for step by step instructions on how to set up your account and access the City's response. You must follow the set up instructions exactly to successfully create your account. Please click the link below to access the City's Public Record Center then follow the instructions attached to this email . My Records Center (https://midlandtx.mycusthelp.com/WEBAPP/_rs/(S(0ikjv5dtaqsb1bslskt5y32b))/CustomerHome.aspx?sSessionID=50194107145KVZKABUPTEMZQUITLIMETPETPGODO)
These records have also been placed in the mail to you. Sincerely, Tammi Casey Public Information Act Coordinator | City Attorney’s Office O. 432-685-7257 City of Midland 300 N. Loraine | P.O. Box 1152 | Midland, TX 79702 To monitor the progress or update this request please log into the
Public Records Center. (https://midlandtx.mycusthelp.com/WEBAPP/_rs/RequestEdit.aspx?rid=22998&coid=79F4034E316D8E74AE31684ABF1604)
From: Midland Police Department
Dear Mr. Aldhous,
Your public information request received by the City has been processed. Please review the "How to Set Up Your City of Midland Public Records Center Account" attached to this email for step by step instructions on how to set up your account and access the City's response. You must follow the set up instructions exactly to successfully create your account. Please click the link below to access the City's Public Record Center then follow the instructions attached to this email.
My Records Center<https://midlandtx.mycusthelp.com/WEBAPP/_rs/(S(0ikjv5dtaqsb1bslskt5y32b))/CustomerHome.aspx?sSessionID=50194107145KVZKABUPTEMZQUITLIMETPETPGODO>
These records have also been placed in the mail to you.
Sincerely,
Tammi Casey
Public Information Act Coordinator | City Attorney’s Office
O. 432-685-7257
[Signature]<http://www.midlandtexas.gov/>
[FaceBook-icon] <https://www.facebook.com/CityofMidlandTX> [Twitter-icon] <https://twitter.com/cityofmidland> [Youtube-icon] <https://www.youtube.com/user/CityofMidland>
City of Midland
300 N. Loraine | P.O. Box 1152 | Midland, TX 79702
From: Midland Police Department
Dear Peter,
We received your request for password assistance on 08/06/2018. Below is your temporary password. Please use it to access your account online. When you access your account, please create a permanent password that only you can remember. Login: requests@muckrock.com Password: 0b232d452c
This is an auto-generated email and has originated from an unmonitored email account. Please DO NOT REPLY.
From: Midland Police Department
Hello Peter,
This message is to notify you that your password has changed.
This is an auto-generated email and has originated from an unmonitored email account. Please DO NOT REPLY.
From: Midland Police Department
Dear Mr. Aldhous:
Thank you for your interest in obtaining public records held by the City of Midland. Your request was submitted to this office on August 28, 2018 and given the reference number M024519-082818 for tracking purposes.
Your request will be processed as soon as possible
You can monitor the progress of your request by following this link My Records Center (CustomerHome.aspx) . You will receive an email once your request has been completed.
Thank you for using the City of Midland Public Records Center.
Public Information Act Coordinator
From: Midland Police Department
--- Please respond above this line ---
RE: City of Midland Public Information Request Reference # M024519-082818.
Dear Mr. Aldhous,
Please log in to the City of Midland Records Center at the following link to review the City's response to your public records request received on August 28, 2018
My Records Center (https://midlandtx.mycusthelp.com/WEBAPP/_rs/(S(0ikjv5dtaqsb1bslskt5y32b))/CustomerHome.aspx?sSessionID=50194107145KVZKABUPTEMZQUITLIMETPETPGODO) ** You will need to ALLOW POP-UPS to view attachments ** If you are unable to view your attachments, please refer to How to Download Attachments, attached to this email.
Sincerely, Tammi Casey Public Information Act Coordinator | City Attorney’s Office O. 432-685-7257 City of Midland 300 N. Loraine | P.O. Box 1152 | Midland, TX 79702 To monitor the progress or update this request please log into the
Public Records Center. (https://midlandtx.mycusthelp.com/WEBAPP/_rs/RequestEdit.aspx?rid=24519&coid=79F4034E316D8E74AE31684ABF1604)
From: Peter Aldhous
Attention Stephen Gates/Tammi Casey
Request for Clarification
Thanks for your response to my Aug 28 request. Yes, you understood correctly what I was asking for. You stated that the Midland PD had indicated that it had no such records. Can you clarify which of these situations would apply:
1. These records have been discarded/destroyed under the city's normal records retention schedule
2. The records have been passed to the District Attorney's office
From: Midland Police Department
Hello,
Unfortunately your email was not recognized and has not been routed accordingly. Please be advised that if you wish to submit a new request or check on the status of an already submitted request, you should visit the Description: TO: [midlandtexas@mycusthelp.net]Midland Police DepartmentTexas Public Information Act Office601 North Loraine StreetMidland, TX 79701October 3, 2018This is a follow up to request number M022998-021318:Attention Stephen Gates/Tammi CaseyRequest for ClarificationThanks for your response to my Aug 28 request. Yes, you understood correctly what I was asking for. You stated that the Midland PD had indicated that it had no such records. Can you clarify which of these situations would apply:1. These records have been discarded/destroyed under the city's normal records retention schedule2. The records have been passed to the District Attorney's officeFiled via MuckRock.comE-mail (Preferred): 48725-73056206@requests.muckrock.comUpload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/accounts/agency_login/midland-police-department-6203/records-request-from-buzzfeed-news-incident-reports-for-crimes-of-aggravated-assault-48725/?uuid-login=912b3bf2-afe2-478d-877f-ce0898942237&email=midlandtexas%40mycusthelp.net#agency-replyIs this email coming to the wrong contact? Something else wrong? Use the above link to let us know.For mailed responses, please address (see note):MuckRock NewsDEPT MR 48725411A Highland AveSomerville, MA 02144-2516PLEASE 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 Sept. 7, 2018:
[NAMEORGANIZATION]
This is an auto-generated email and has originated from an unmonitored email account. Please DO NOT REPLY.
Files
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