Massachusetts Criminal Defamation Arrests (New Bedford Police Department)

Adam Steinbaugh filed this request with the New Bedford Police Department of New Bedford, MA.
Multi Request Massachusetts Criminal Defamation Arrests
Submitted April 21, 2022
Est. Completion None
Status
No Responsive Documents

Communications

From: Adam Steinbaugh

Subject: Massachusetts Public Records Law Request: Massachusetts Criminal Defamation Arrests (New Bedford Police Department)

Email

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:

Any police reports generated on or after October 1, 2019, concerning any alleged violation of MA Gen L ch 272 § 98C, "libel," or "hatred."

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 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,

Adam Steinbaugh

From: New Bedford Police Department

Subject: Adam Steinbaugh PRR Response

Email

Dear Mr. Steinbaugh,

I am responding on behalf of the New Bedford Police Department (hereinafter "the Department") to your recent request for records pursuant to the provisions of G.L. c. 66, § 10 (hereinafter "the Massachusetts Public Records Law"). Your request, received on June 21, 2022, was as follows:

Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:
Any police reports generated on or after October 1, 2019, concerning any alleged violation of MA Gen L ch 272 § 98C, "libel," or "hatred."

After conducting a search of its database from the date of October 1, 2019 to the present, no police reports concerning a violation of G.L. c. 272, § 98C were identified. Therefore, the Department is unable to respond to your request for public records because the Department is not in possession of any responsive documentation matching your specifications.

You have the right to appeal this determination to the Supervisor of Records under 950 CMR 32.08(1) within 90 calendar days of this response. Any appeal shall be in writing and include a copy of your original request and this letter. By law, the Supervisor is required to respond within 10 business days of receipt of your appeal. You may also seek judicial review of an unfavorable response by commencing a civil action in the Superior Court under G. L. c. 66, § 10A(c).

Sincerely,

Nicholas DeMarco

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Nicholas DeMarco
Associate City Solicitor
City of New Bedford | Solicitors Office
133 William Street, New Bedford, MA 02740

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