Millimeter wave scanner tests w/ TSA (The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey)
| Tracking # |
21025 |
| Multi Request | Millimeter wave scanner tests w/ TSA |
| Submitted | Oct. 24, 2019 |
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Communications
From: Brian Waters
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law, I hereby request information about your agency's use of millimeter wave scanning technology. The technology is manufactured by companies such as ThruVision and QinetiQ, and your agency has tested the technology in cooperation with the Transportation Security Administration. News articles describing the technology and the tests conducted with the TSA are available here:
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-tsa-metra-bomb-scanner-testing-20191015-jb5eb5twtrg33igvt3gvt2jmiy-story.html
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/will-l-a-s-anti-terrorist-subway-scanners-be-adopted-everywhere/
Specifically, I am requesting the following documents:
1) Any documents describing the scope, duration, or location of millimeter wave technology tests with the TSA.
2) Copies of any reports or assessments written describing the results of the tests.
3) Any policies describing how the technology is used, and any legal analyses or studies that may have been carried out which deal with the technology.
4) A copy of all technical documentation regarding the technology. Please search your records for user manuals, maintenance or service manuals, studies or reports, spec sheets or data sheets, or any other such documentation.
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 5 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Brian Waters
From: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Please see attached.
Thank you,
[cid:image001.png@01CED712.B2F61D20]
4 World Trade Center
150 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007
NOTICE: THIS E-MAIL AND ANY ATTACHMENTS CONTAIN INFORMATION FROM THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY AND AFFILIATES. IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS E-MAIL IN ERROR, PLEASE NOTIFY THE SENDER IMMEDIATELY, PERMANENTLY DELETE THIS E-MAIL (ALONG WITH ANY ATTACHMENTS), AND DESTROY ANY PRINTOUTS.
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image001
From: Brian Waters
Mr. Shalewitz,
Thank you for your response to my request regarding millimeter wave cameras. In my request, I asked for four bulleted items, which you wrote were overly broad. I have removed one item and attempted to clarify the remaining items here:
2) Reports describing the results of the technology test. The test was carried out in collaboration with the TSA between August 13-15, 2018. (News articles describing the test are linked below.) Presumably, officers or analysts who took part in the test would have drafted an internal memo or report describing the test and its results, so that management or other stakeholders can make informed decisions about the technology. Unfortunately, I cannot know precisely what your agency might call a report like this. Please let me know of this item is still unclear.
3) Department policy describing how the technology is to be used. If such a policy has been written, it might be found alongside your agency's policies for use of force, body worn cameras, etc. Furthermore, I am requesting legal analyses regarding the technology. Such an analysis or report may have been carried out by your agency's general counsel, or by a state attorney general.
4) Technical documentation regarding the technology. Documentation would be provided by technology manufacturers ThruVision or QinetiQ. Technical documentation can take many forms, including user manuals, maintenance or service manuals, spec sheets or data sheets, or technical reports.
To aid in your search, please know that the technology may go by several names:
- passive millimeter
- millimeter wave camera or millimeter wave scanner
- terahertz camera or terahertz scanner
- standoff explosion detection device
and is manufactured by ThruVisuon or QinetiQ. For reference, two news articles describing Port Authority's test of the technology are available here:
https://nypost.com/2018/08/14/port-authority-tests-new-security-tech-that-scans-passersby/
https://www.fox5ny.com/news/port-authority-cops-test-weapons-scanners
Thank you for your work here, and please let me know if items 2), 3), or 4) remain unclear. I look forward to hearing back.
Thank you,
Brian Waters
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following New York Freedom of Information Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Oct. 24, 2019. 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: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Mr. Waters:
Please see attached.
Thank you,
[cid:image001.png@01CED712.B2F61D20]
4 World Trade Center
150 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007
NOTICE: THIS E-MAIL AND ANY ATTACHMENTS CONTAIN INFORMATION FROM THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY AND AFFILIATES. IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS E-MAIL IN ERROR, PLEASE NOTIFY THE SENDER IMMEDIATELY, PERMANENTLY DELETE THIS E-MAIL (ALONG WITH ANY ATTACHMENTS), AND DESTROY ANY PRINTOUTS.
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image001
From: Brian Waters
Mr. Shalewitz,
Thanks so much for working back-and-forth to straighten this request out. In your last letter, you asked me to clarify what I was seeking in regards to technical documentation.
Technical documentation can take a variety of forms, depending on the technology, and is usually written by the vendor. Documentation is usually written for people who operate the equipment (in this case, police officers or security personnel), or for technicians, engineers, or analysts who work with the technology in another capacity (as a hypothetical example, consider a software engineer working to save data from the equipment into an agency database, or an engineer working to mount the system onto a moving vehicle).
I cannot know the exact titles of technical documents ahead of time, but here are a few examples of documents you may find relating to the ThruVision and QinetiQ systems:
- User documentation with names like "User Manual," "User Guide," "Quick Guide," or "Quick Reference."
- Maintenance documentation with names "Service Manual," "Maintenance Manual," "Calibration Procedures," or "Performance Verification."
- Software documentation with names like "Programming Guide" or "API Reference."
- Please also look for a "Data Sheet," "Spec Sheet," or "Performance Specs" which describes the specifications of the equipment, such as range, resolution, power requirements, etc.
Please let me know if this is helpful, and again, thanks for working back-and-forth to clarify this request.
Brian Waters
From: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Please see attached.
Thank you,
[cid:image001.png@01CED712.B2F61D20]
4 World Trade Center
150 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007
NOTICE: THIS E-MAIL AND ANY ATTACHMENTS CONTAIN INFORMATION FROM THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY AND AFFILIATES. IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS E-MAIL IN ERROR, PLEASE NOTIFY THE SENDER IMMEDIATELY, PERMANENTLY DELETE THIS E-MAIL (ALONG WITH ANY ATTACHMENTS), AND DESTROY ANY PRINTOUTS.
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image001
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I'm following up on the following New York Freedom of Information Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Oct. 24, 2019. You previously indicated that it would be completed on Jan. 10, 2020. I wanted to let you know that I am still interested in the following documents, and to see if that date was still accurate. You had assigned it reference number #21025.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I'm following up on the following New York Freedom of Information Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Oct. 24, 2019. You had previously indicated that it would be completed on Jan. 10, 2020. I wanted to check on the status of my request, and to see if there was a new estimated completion date. You had assigned it reference number #21025.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Please see attached.
Thank you,
[cid:image001.png@01CED712.B2F61D20]
4 World Trade Center
150 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007
NOTICE: THIS E-MAIL AND ANY ATTACHMENTS CONTAIN INFORMATION FROM THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY AND AFFILIATES. IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS E-MAIL IN ERROR, PLEASE NOTIFY THE SENDER IMMEDIATELY, PERMANENTLY DELETE THIS E-MAIL (ALONG WITH ANY ATTACHMENTS), AND DESTROY ANY PRINTOUTS.
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image001
From: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Mr. Waters:
Please see attached.
Thank you,
[cid:image001.jpg@01D5D5D8.3249B080]
4 World Trade Center
150 Greenwich Street,
New York, NY 10007
NOTICE: THIS E-MAIL AND ANY ATTACHMENTS CONTAIN INFORMATION FROM THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY AND AFFILIATES. IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS E-MAIL IN ERROR, PLEASE NOTIFY THE SENDER IMMEDIATELY, PERMANENTLY DELETE THIS E-MAIL (ALONG WITH ANY ATTACHMENTS), AND DESTROY ANY PRINTOUTS.
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image002
From: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Mr. Waters:
Please see attached.
Thank you,
[A close up of a sign Description automatically generated]<https://www.panynj.gov/>
4 World Trade Center,
150 Greenwich Street, 25th Floor
New York, NY 10007
NOTICE: THIS E-MAIL AND ANY ATTACHMENTS CONTAIN INFORMATION FROM THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY AND AFFILIATES. IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS E-MAIL IN ERROR, PLEASE NOTIFY THE SENDER IMMEDIATELY, PERMANENTLY DELETE THIS E-MAIL (ALONG WITH ANY ATTACHMENTS), AND DESTROY ANY PRINTOUTS.
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image002
From: Brian Waters
Hello,
On October 24, 2019, I submitted a public records request to your agency, seeking information about your agency's use of millimeter wave camera systems. Once every one or two months, I have received a letter from Mr. Shalewitz, stating that your agency needs more time to respond, and setting a date one to two months in the future upon which I can expect a response. Each time, instead of receiving a response, I have received a letter stating that it will take more time to produce records. The most recent letter stated that I should expect a response on July 6. It is now July 7 and I have not received either a response, nor yet another letter delaying a response.
Please provide the requested records immediately.
Thank you,
Brian Waters
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I'm following up on the following New York Freedom of Information Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Oct. 24, 2019. You had previously indicated that it would be completed on July 6, 2020. I wanted to check on the status of my request, and to see if there was a new estimated completion date. You had assigned it reference number #21025.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Brian Waters
Hello,
On October 24, 2019, I submitted a public records request to your agency, seeking information about your agency's use of millimeter wave camera systems. Once every one or two months, I have received a letter from Mr. Shalewitz, stating that your agency needs more time to respond, and setting a date one to two months in the future upon which I can expect a response. Each time, instead of receiving a response, I have received a letter stating that it will take more time to produce records. The most recent letter stated that I should expect a response on July 6. It is now July 7 and I have not received either a response, nor yet another letter delaying a response.
Please provide the requested records immediately.
Thank you,
Brian Waters
From: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Mr. Waters:
Please see attached.
Thank you,
[cid:image001.jpg@01D5D5D8.3249B080]
4 World Trade Center
150 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10007
NOTICE: THIS E-MAIL AND ANY ATTACHMENTS CONTAIN INFORMATION FROM THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY AND AFFILIATES. IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS E-MAIL IN ERROR, PLEASE NOTIFY THE SENDER IMMEDIATELY, PERMANENTLY DELETE THIS E-MAIL (ALONG WITH ANY ATTACHMENTS), AND DESTROY ANY PRINTOUTS.
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image001
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I'm following up on the following New York Freedom of Information Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Oct. 24, 2019. You previously indicated that it would be completed on Oct. 2, 2020. I wanted to let you know that I am still interested in the following documents, and to see if that date was still accurate. You had assigned it reference number #21025.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Mr. Waters:
Please see attached. Additional time is needed to process your request.
Thank you,
[A close up of a sign Description automatically generated]<https://www.panynj.gov/>
4 World Trade Center,
150 Greenwich Street, 25th Floor
New York, NY 10007
NOTICE: THIS E-MAIL AND ANY ATTACHMENTS CONTAIN INFORMATION FROM THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY AND AFFILIATES. IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS E-MAIL IN ERROR, PLEASE NOTIFY THE SENDER IMMEDIATELY, PERMANENTLY DELETE THIS E-MAIL (ALONG WITH ANY ATTACHMENTS), AND DESTROY ANY PRINTOUTS.
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image003
From: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Mr. Waters:
Please see the attached.
Thank you,
[cid:image001.jpg@01D5D5D8.3249B080]
4 World Trade Center
150 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10007
NOTICE: THIS E-MAIL AND ANY ATTACHMENTS CONTAIN INFORMATION FROM THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY AND AFFILIATES. IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS E-MAIL IN ERROR, PLEASE NOTIFY THE SENDER IMMEDIATELY, PERMANENTLY DELETE THIS E-MAIL (ALONG WITH ANY ATTACHMENTS), AND DESTROY ANY PRINTOUTS.
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image001
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