Tacoma IED threats, investigations, and discoveries (South Sound 911)

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to RCW Ch. 42.56 (Public Records Act), I hereby request the following records:

All records of threats, investigations, discoveries, prevention, protection, response and recovery measures, and disposal of improvised explosive devices ("IEDs," also known as "bombs" but typically exclusive of those bombs which are commercially-manufactured by war contractors) in Tacoma, Washington.

As reported in [an August 26, 2014, Tacoma News Tribune article][1], the scourge of IEDs in the city of Tacoma was implied by a 2013 memo from Don Ramsdell, chief of Tacoma Police, to the city’s purchasing department, in which Mr. Ramsdell lobbied for expenditure of approximately $250,000 on equipment that "offers enhanced technological capabilities for the Tacoma Police Department Explosives Ordinance Detail (EOD) with IED (improvised explosive device) prevention, protection, response and recovery measures."

[1]: <http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/08/26/3347665_documents-tacoma-police-using.html>

I seek both records of the presumable prevalence of IEDs prior to acquisition of the IMSI catcher for which Mr. Ramsdell successfully lobbied and records reflecting the evaluation of the effectiveness of the device for its stated purpose. The public deserve to know that our money is spent wisely.

In an [e-mail to me dated September 26, 2014][2], in response to a PRA request I filed with Tacoma Police Department on August 29, 2014 (their identifier: 14-7634), Lisa Anderson, public disclosure assistant for Tacoma, Washington, wrote, "In response to your below request, reports related to incidents involving "bombs/IED's" can be obtained from South Sound 911. The City of Tacoma does not maintain these records." Upon her suggestion, I am now contacting you for the records to which she referred.

[2]: <https://www.muckrock.com/foi/tacoma-72/tacoma-ied-threats-investigations-and-discoveries-13191/#comm-101200>

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. 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.

In the event that fees cannot be waived, 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,

Phil Mocek

Ms. Robinson:

I received your e-mail of October 21. I am unsure of how to answer your questions. I originally placed this request with Tacoma Police Department. They informed me that responsive records were held not by their office, but by yours, so I filed an identical request with your office.

Given the large amount of money that Tacoma Police convinced Tacoma City Council to spend on IED prevention, protection, response and recovery measures, I trust that records supportive of the expressed need for such expenditure are readily available, and that similar records for the time since that expenditure was made are not only available, but have been studied by Tacoma staff to ensure that the expenditure resulted in a reduction of the prevalence of IEDs in Tacoma as planned.

I reiterate my request that responsive records be provided electronically.

To clarify: I have not requested and do not intend to request the creation of new records, but the copying of existing records. The Washington State Attorney General's [model rules for electronic records][1] state (p2):

"Making an electronic copy of an electronic record is not `creating' a new record; instead, it is similar to copying a paper copy. Similarly, eliminating a field of an electronic record can be a method of redaction; it is similar to redacting portions of a paper record using a black pen or white-out tape to make it available for inspection or copying."

In fact, those model rules encourage agencies such as yours to provide records electronically:

"Agencies are strongly encouraged to provide copies of electronic records in an electronic format. See RCW 43.105.250 (encouraging state and local agencies to make `public records widely available electronically to the public.')."

Further, I am authorized to specify that my preferred method of access to the record is an electronic copy. The aforementioned model rules for electronic records state (pp-6-7):

"Access to a public record can be provided by allowing inspection of the record, providing a copy, or posting the record on the agency's web site and assisting the requestor in finding it (if necessary). An agency must mail a copy of records if requested and if the requestor pays the actual cost of postage and the mailing container. The requestor can specify which method of access (or combination, such as inspection and then copying) he or she prefers."

[1]: <http://www.atg.wa.gov/uploadedFiles/Another/About_the_Office/Open_Government/Model%20Rules%20Electronic%20Records.pdf>

Should it be impractical to send the electronic file via e-mail, I am willing to pay actual cost of storage media (e.g., CDROM), postage, and shipping container. Alternatively, a variety of fully-electronic methods of delivery other than e-mail are available (e.g., FTP server, HTTP server, OnionShare, etc.). These are acceptable to me and would result in less work for you. It is completely unacceptable for you to convert electronic records to paper records for physical transportation to me. Please avoid such busywork and reduction of public utility of records provided.

Cordially,
Phil Mocek