JSS, Palo Alto
| Tracking # |
W001739-042519 |
| Submitted | April 25, 2019 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Caroline Haskins
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
Public reports have stated that the Los Angeles Police Department has made use of services from Justice and Security
Strategies, Inc. (JSS). (http://newweb.jssinc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Spotlight-on-Operation-LASER.pdf)
Therefore, I am requesting documents related to the implementation of JSS as they may have been used in Palo Alto. I hereby request:
* Any software and algorithms developed for the implementation of JSS. I'm particularly interested in any algorithms that have a public policy outcome, such as providing guidance on a policy or an assessment of an individual. More generally, I would like any software that was developed by or with, given to, used by, purchased or licensed to this agency for implementation of the above referenced program. This would include original source code, any compiled binaries (also known as executables), spreadsheets, program scripts, and other digital materials used to calculate any data in the above program. It would also include the input training data for machine learning algorithms. Collectively, these responsive materials will be referred to as "the software" in the following paragraphs.
* All instructional materials, presentations and presentation materials (including recorded video and audio, PowerPoint files, prepared remarks, and slides formats), and other guidance on the use of "the software." This includes any notes taking during meetings that discussed the use of the software, any explanations (whether internally or externally generated) of how the software works, and any other document that has been used to help explain the use of "the software" to any party, including internal documentation, public relations materials, and executive summaries. This also includes any description of input and output data fields that will aid in understanding the type of information that is submitted to the software, and that is produced by the software.
* A copy of any privacy impact assessments, use policies, standard operating procedures, data retention policies, legal opinions, warranties, non-disclosure agreements, contracts, liability waivers, insurance agreements, Requests for Proposals, Responses to Requests for Proposal, Memorandums of Understanding, Letters of Interest, usage policies, or informal agreements that reference "the software" or otherwise guide it use or the relationship between this agency and the provider or developer of the software.
* A copy of any funding opportunity announcements, grant applications and grantor status/progress reports, reports to legislative bodies, annual reports that mention the use of the software, as well as audit records, including but not limited to security audits of the software, misuse reports, and reports to oversight bodies.
* A copy of any validation studies conducted with respect to JSS or with respect to any software or algorithms used in connection with JSS, and a copy of any records pertaining to inquiries for the need of validation studies, or discussion of potential or actual validation studies. By “validation study,” I mean any study designed to assess how accurate JSS is in predicting what it is supposed to predict, or to assess whether JSS may err in the direction of either under- or overestimating likelihoods or predicted outcomes, or may produce any results that are biased or unexpected in any way.
* For the aspects of the software that require an input, for example, to compute a value, we request a copy of the five most recent sets of data that were used for input, as well as the five most recent outputs of the software, in whatever their native format is. If these inputs or outputs include exempt information, we ask that you exempt only that information which is specifically exempted from law, and provide the other material.
* Any and all electronic communications that mention JSS, and any attachments in said electronic communications, from members of the Palo Alto Police Department. Additionally, any and all electronic communications between members of the Palo Alto Police Department and JSS representatives.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes. It will be used in the course of reporting for Motherboard, VICE’s science and technology website (www.motherboard.vice.com).
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,
Caroline Haskins
From: Palo Alto Police Department
04/25/2019
Dear Caroline :
The City of Palo Alto is dedicated and responsive to our community. Your request has been received and is being processed. Your request was given the reference number W001739-042519 for tracking purposes.
Records Requested: To Whom It May Concern:Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:Public reports have stated that the Los Angeles Police Department has made use of services from Justice and SecurityStrategies, Inc. (JSS). (http://newweb.jssinc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Spotlight-on-Operation-LASER.pdf)Therefore, I am requesting documents related to the implementation of JSS as they may have been used in Palo Alto. I hereby request:* Any software and algorithms developed for the implementation of JSS. I'm particularly interested in any algorithms that have a public policy outcome, such as providing guidance on a policy or an assessment of an individual. More generally, I would like any software that was developed by or with, given to, used by, purchased or licensed to this agency for implementation of the above referenced program. This would include original source code, any compiled binaries (also known as executables), spreadsheets, program scripts, and other digital materials used to calculate any data in the above program. It would also include the input training data for machine learning algorithms. Collectively, these responsive materials will be referred to as "the software" in the following paragraphs.* All instructional materials, presentations and presentation materials (including recorded video and audio, PowerPoint files, prepared remarks, and slides formats), and other guidance on the use of "the software." This includes any notes taking during meetings that discussed the use of the software, any explanations (whether internally or externally generated) of how the software works, and any other document that has been used to help explain the use of "the software" to any party, including internal documentation, public relations materials, and executive summaries. This also includes any description of input and output data fields that will aid in understanding the type of information that is submitted to the software, and that is produced by the software.* A copy of any privacy impact assessments, use policies, standard operating procedures, data retention policies, legal opinions, warranties, non-disclosure agreements, contracts, liability waivers, insurance agreements, Requests for Proposals, Responses to Requests for Proposal, Memorandums of Understanding, Letters of Interest, usage policies, or informal agreements that reference "the software" or otherwise guide it use or the relationship between this agency and the provider or developer of the software.* A copy of any funding opportunity announcements, grant applications and grantor status/progress reports, reports to legislative bodies, annual reports that mention the use of the software, as well as audit records, including but not limited to security audits of the software, misuse reports, and reports to oversight bodies.* A copy of any validation studies conducted with respect to JSS or with respect to any software or algorithms used in connection with JSS, and a copy of any records pertaining to inquiries for the need of validation studies, or discussion of potential or actual validation studies. By “validation study,” I mean any study designed to assess how accurate JSS is in predicting what it is supposed to predict, or to assess whether JSS may err in the direction of either under- or overestimating likelihoods or predicted outcomes, or may produce any results that are biased or unexpected in any way.* For the aspects of the software that require an input, for example, to compute a value, we request a copy of the five most recent sets of data that were used for input, as well as the five most recent outputs of the software, in whatever their native format is. If these inputs or outputs include exempt information, we ask that you exempt only that information which is specifically exempted from law, and provide the other material.* Any and all electronic communications that mention JSS, and any attachments in said electronic communications, from members of the Palo Alto Police Department. Additionally, any and all electronic communications between members of the Palo Alto Police Department and JSS representatives.The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes. It will be used in the course of reporting for Motherboard, VICE’s science and technology website (www.motherboard.vice.com).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,Caroline HaskinsUpload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://accounts.muckrock.com/accounts/login/?url_auth_token=AAAdGnflSbxYB2gXIt04NuwDSx0%3A1hJtqQ%3APpjJ4T-kHvcQkIp_j9qdfxTK8RA&next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.muckrock.com%2Faccounts%2Flogin%2F%3Fnext%3D%252Faccounts%252Fagency_login%252Fpalo-alto-police-department-404%252Fjss-palo-alto-72247%252F%253Femail%253Ddacia.tavares%252540cityofpaloalto.org
Your request will be forwarded to the relevant department(s) to locate the information you seek and to determine the volume and any costs associated with satisfying your request. You will be contacted about the availability and/or provided with copies of the records in question.
City of Palo Alto
From: Palo Alto Police Department
--- Please respond above this line ---
05/02/2019
RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST of April 25, 2019, Reference # W001739-042519
Dear Caroline ,
I am writing in response to your requests for documents under the California Public Records Act (Govt. Code § 6250 et seq.) received by the City on 4/25/2019.
Your request mentioned: To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
Public reports have stated that the Los Angeles Police Department has made use of services from Justice and Security
Strategies, Inc. (JSS). (http://newweb.jssinc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Spotlight-on-Operation-LASER.pdf)
Therefore, I am requesting documents related to the implementation of JSS as they may have been used in Palo Alto. I hereby request:
* Any software and algorithms developed for the implementation of JSS. I'm particularly interested in any algorithms that have a public policy outcome, such as providing guidance on a policy or an assessment of an individual. More generally, I would like any software that was developed by or with, given to, used by, purchased or licensed to this agency for implementation of the above referenced program. This would include original source code, any compiled binaries (also known as executables), spreadsheets, program scripts, and other digital materials used to calculate any data in the above program. It would also include the input training data for machine learning algorithms. Collectively, these responsive materials will be referred to as "the software" in the following paragraphs.
* All instructional materials, presentations and presentation materials (including recorded video and audio, PowerPoint files, prepared remarks, and slides formats), and other guidance on the use of "the software." This includes any notes taking during meetings that discussed the use of the software, any explanations (whether internally or externally generated) of how the software works, and any other document that has been used to help explain the use of "the software" to any party, including internal documentation, public relations materials, and executive summaries. This also includes any description of input and output data fields that will aid in understanding the type of information that is submitted to the software, and that is produced by the software.
* A copy of any privacy impact assessments, use policies, standard operating procedures, data retention policies, legal opinions, warranties, non-disclosure agreements, contracts, liability waivers, insurance agreements, Requests for Proposals, Responses to Requests for Proposal, Memorandums of Understanding, Letters of Interest, usage policies, or informal agreements that reference "the software" or otherwise guide it use or the relationship between this agency and the provider or developer of the software.
* A copy of any funding opportunity announcements, grant applications and grantor status/progress reports, reports to legislative bodies, annual reports that mention the use of the software, as well as audit records, including but not limited to security audits of the software, misuse reports, and reports to oversight bodies.
* A copy of any validation studies conducted with respect to JSS or with respect to any software or algorithms used in connection with JSS, and a copy of any records pertaining to inquiries for the need of validation studies, or discussion of potential or actual validation studies. By “validation study,” I mean any study designed to assess how accurate JSS is in predicting what it is supposed to predict, or to assess whether JSS may err in the direction of either under- or overestimating likelihoods or predicted outcomes, or may produce any results that are biased or unexpected in any way.
* For the aspects of the software that require an input, for example, to compute a value, we request a copy of the five most recent sets of data that were used for input, as well as the five most recent outputs of the software, in whatever their native format is. If these inputs or outputs include exempt information, we ask that you exempt only that information which is specifically exempted from law, and provide the other material.
* Any and all electronic communications that mention JSS, and any attachments in said electronic communications, from members of the Palo Alto Police Department. Additionally, any and all electronic communications between members of the Palo Alto Police Department and JSS representatives.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes. It will be used in the course of reporting for Motherboard, VICE’s science and technology website (www.motherboard.vice.com).
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,
Caroline Haskins
Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://accounts.muckrock.com/accounts/login/?url_auth_token=AAAdGnflSbxYB2gXIt04NuwDSx0%3A1hJtqQ%3APpjJ4T-kHvcQkIp_j9qdfxTK8RA&next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.muckrock.com%2Faccounts%2Flogin%2F%3Fnext%3D%252Faccounts%252Fagency_login%252Fpalo-alto-police-department-404%252Fjss-palo-alto-72247%252F%253Femail%253Ddacia.tavares%252540cityofpaloalto.org
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The City has reviewed its files and has determined there are no responsive documents to your request.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact me by responding to this message.
Thank you,
Lisa Scheff Public Safety Program Manager/Records Police Department
Files
There are no files associated with this request.