Government Surveillance Documentation - Orange County Sheriff (2020-2022)

Dear Jordan Lassiter:
Thank you for your interest in public records of Orange County. Your request has been received and is being processed in accordance with the State of New York's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). Your request was received in this office on 5/17/2023 and given the reference number P000482-051723 for tracking purposes. Records Requested: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law, I hereby request the following records:

Dear Public Information Officer,

I am writing to submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request seeking specific digital and physical documents related to government surveillance programs operated by the Orange County Sheriff's Office in New York. This request covers the period from 2020 to 2022. The requested documents include, but are not limited to:

Digital Documents:
a. Policies, procedures, guidelines, and training materials regarding the use of specific facial recognition software or hardware (e.g., Clearview AI, NEC NeoFace).
b. Records, contracts, and procurement documents related to the acquisition and use of license plate readers, including specific models or manufacturers employed by the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
c. Protocols, authorizations, and any legal opinions governing the use of cell phone tracking devices, specifically Stingray or any other similar tools utilized by the office.
d. Internal reports, assessments, or audits evaluating the effectiveness, efficiency, or impact of government surveillance programs.
e. Any emails, memos, or other digital communications discussing or mentioning government surveillance activities.
Physical Documents:
a. Manuals, handbooks, or printed guidelines outlining the permissible use of surveillance technologies by Orange County Sheriff's Office personnel.
b. Copies of agreements, contracts, or memoranda of understanding with external entities regarding data sharing or access to surveillance technology.
c. Hard copies of reports, assessments, or audits conducted by the office or external entities regarding government surveillance programs.
d. Pamphlets, brochures, or printed materials used to inform the public about surveillance initiatives.
To ensure a comprehensive search, please include all relevant departments, units, and storage locations within the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

In compliance with applicable legal standards, I kindly request that you process this FOIA request in a manner consistent with the public's right to access information regarding government surveillance programs. Please note that the claim that disclosure would interfere with government operations must be supported by specific and demonstrable evidence.

Additionally, I request that you provide an index of any documents that are redacted or withheld in whole or in part. The index should include the title or description of each document, the specific exemption(s) applied, and the justification for each redaction or withholding.

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,

Jordan Lassiter

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
Your request will be forwarded to the relevant department(s) to conduct a search the records you seek and to determine the volume and any costs associated with satisfying your request. You will be contacted with a formal acknowledgement of your request in accordance with FOIL Law within five (5) business days.
PLEASE NOTE: The State of New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) does not require a governmental body to create new information, to do legal research, or to answer questions.
You can monitor the progress of your request at the link below and you WILL receive an email when your request has been completed. Again, thank you for using the FOIL Records Center.
Orange County

--- Please respond above this line ---

RE: SHERIFF FOIL REQUEST of May 17, 2023., Reference # P000482-051723.
Dear Jordan Lassiter:
This letter will serve to acknowledge receipt of your Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) Request dated May 17, 2023 pertaining to: "To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law, I hereby request the following records:

Dear Public Information Officer,

I am writing to submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request seeking specific digital and physical documents related to government surveillance programs operated by the Orange County Sheriff's Office in New York. This request covers the period from 2020 to 2022. The requested documents include, but are not limited to:

Digital Documents:
a. Policies, procedures, guidelines, and training materials regarding the use of specific facial recognition software or hardware (e.g., Clearview AI, NEC NeoFace).
b. Records, contracts, and procurement documents related to the acquisition and use of license plate readers, including specific models or manufacturers employed by the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
c. Protocols, authorizations, and any legal opinions governing the use of cell phone tracking devices, specifically Stingray or any other similar tools utilized by the office.
d. Internal reports, assessments, or audits evaluating the effectiveness, efficiency, or impact of government surveillance programs.
e. Any emails, memos, or other digital communications discussing or mentioning government surveillance activities.
Physical Documents:
a. Manuals, handbooks, or printed guidelines outlining the permissible use of surveillance technologies by Orange County Sheriff's Office personnel.
b. Copies of agreements, contracts, or memoranda of understanding with external entities regarding data sharing or access to surveillance technology.
c. Hard copies of reports, assessments, or audits conducted by the office or external entities regarding government surveillance programs.
d. Pamphlets, brochures, or printed materials used to inform the public about surveillance initiatives.
To ensure a comprehensive search, please include all relevant departments, units, and storage locations within the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

In compliance with applicable legal standards, I kindly request that you process this FOIA request in a manner consistent with the public's right to access information regarding government surveillance programs. Please note that the claim that disclosure would interfere with government operations must be supported by specific and demonstrable evidence.

Additionally, I request that you provide an index of any documents that are redacted or withheld in whole or in part. The index should include the title or description of each document, the specific exemption(s) applied, and the justification for each redaction or withholding.

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,

Jordan Lassiter

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
Please be advised that it could take up to twenty (20) business days to locate the records you seek, if indeed they are available and subject to disclosure under the Public Officers Law. We shall, of course, endeavor to have our search completed as quickly as possible.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please reply to this email.
Regards,
Deputy Thomas Durso #115
Orange County Sheriff's Office

--- Please respond above this line ---

RE: SHERIFF FOIL REQUEST of May 17, 2023., Reference # P000482-051723.
Dear Jordan Lassiter,
Orange County received a FOIL request from you on May 17, 2023. Your request mentioned: "To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law, I hereby request the following records:

Dear Public Information Officer,

I am writing to submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request seeking specific digital and physical documents related to government surveillance programs operated by the Orange County Sheriff's Office in New York. This request covers the period from 2020 to 2022. The requested documents include, but are not limited to:

Digital Documents:
a. Policies, procedures, guidelines, and training materials regarding the use of specific facial recognition software or hardware (e.g., Clearview AI, NEC NeoFace).
b. Records, contracts, and procurement documents related to the acquisition and use of license plate readers, including specific models or manufacturers employed by the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
c. Protocols, authorizations, and any legal opinions governing the use of cell phone tracking devices, specifically Stingray or any other similar tools utilized by the office.
d. Internal reports, assessments, or audits evaluating the effectiveness, efficiency, or impact of government surveillance programs.
e. Any emails, memos, or other digital communications discussing or mentioning government surveillance activities.
Physical Documents:
a. Manuals, handbooks, or printed guidelines outlining the permissible use of surveillance technologies by Orange County Sheriff's Office personnel.
b. Copies of agreements, contracts, or memoranda of understanding with external entities regarding data sharing or access to surveillance technology.
c. Hard copies of reports, assessments, or audits conducted by the office or external entities regarding government surveillance programs.
d. Pamphlets, brochures, or printed materials used to inform the public about surveillance initiatives.
To ensure a comprehensive search, please include all relevant departments, units, and storage locations within the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

In compliance with applicable legal standards, I kindly request that you process this FOIA request in a manner consistent with the public's right to access information regarding government surveillance programs. Please note that the claim that disclosure would interfere with government operations must be supported by specific and demonstrable evidence.

Additionally, I request that you provide an index of any documents that are redacted or withheld in whole or in part. The index should include the title or description of each document, the specific exemption(s) applied, and the justification for each redaction or withholding.

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,

Jordan Lassiter

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/ Please accept this correspondence as a follow up to our prior acknowledgment to your request made pursuant to Freedom of Information Law (“FOIL”), dated  05/17/2023.  We will require an additional One Hundred and Twenty (120) business days to complete a search for the records detailed in your FOIL request, if indeed they are available and subject to disclosure under the Public Officers Law. We therefore expect to that we will provide a determination to you by November 24, 2023.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please reply to this email.
Sincerely,
Deputy Thomas Durso #115
Orange County Sheriff's Office

--- Please respond above this line ---

RE: SHERIFF FOIL REQUEST of May 17, 2023, Reference # P000482-051723.
Dear Jordan Lassiter,
Orange County received a FOIL request from you on May 17, 2023. Your request mentioned: “To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law, I hereby request the following records:

Dear Public Information Officer,

I am writing to submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request seeking specific digital and physical documents related to government surveillance programs operated by the Orange County Sheriff's Office in New York. This request covers the period from 2020 to 2022. The requested documents include, but are not limited to:

Digital Documents:
a. Policies, procedures, guidelines, and training materials regarding the use of specific facial recognition software or hardware (e.g., Clearview AI, NEC NeoFace).
b. Records, contracts, and procurement documents related to the acquisition and use of license plate readers, including specific models or manufacturers employed by the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
c. Protocols, authorizations, and any legal opinions governing the use of cell phone tracking devices, specifically Stingray or any other similar tools utilized by the office.
d. Internal reports, assessments, or audits evaluating the effectiveness, efficiency, or impact of government surveillance programs.
e. Any emails, memos, or other digital communications discussing or mentioning government surveillance activities.
Physical Documents:
a. Manuals, handbooks, or printed guidelines outlining the permissible use of surveillance technologies by Orange County Sheriff's Office personnel.
b. Copies of agreements, contracts, or memoranda of understanding with external entities regarding data sharing or access to surveillance technology.
c. Hard copies of reports, assessments, or audits conducted by the office or external entities regarding government surveillance programs.
d. Pamphlets, brochures, or printed materials used to inform the public about surveillance initiatives.
To ensure a comprehensive search, please include all relevant departments, units, and storage locations within the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

In compliance with applicable legal standards, I kindly request that you process this FOIA request in a manner consistent with the public's right to access information regarding government surveillance programs. Please note that the claim that disclosure would interfere with government operations must be supported by specific and demonstrable evidence.

Additionally, I request that you provide an index of any documents that are redacted or withheld in whole or in part. The index should include the title or description of each document, the specific exemption(s) applied, and the justification for each redaction or withholding.

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,

Jordan Lassiter

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
Orange County has reviewed its files and has located responsive records to your request. Please log in to the FOIL Records Center at the following link to retrieve the appropriate responsive documents. SHERIFF FOIL REQUEST - P000482-051723
We do not waive other grounds of exemption by limiting our response to the above and reserve the right to assert such if this matter is appealed. Should you wish to appeal this determination, you must do so in writing submitted within thirty (30) days of the date of this letter to the attention of: Richard B. Golden, County Attorney, FOIL Appeals Officer, Orange County Department of Law, Government Center, 255-275 Main Street, Goshen, New York 10924.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please reply to this email.
Regards,
Deputy Thomas Durso #115
Orange County Sheriff's Office