Google Alerts (San Francisco Police Department)

Dear Emma Best:

Thank you for your interest in public records of the San Francisco Police Department ("SFPD").

The San Francisco Police Department ("SFPD") received your request, dated July 31, 2020 and given the reference number P012932-073120 for tracking purposes.

Record(s) Requested: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:

A. Copies of emailed Google Alert subscription confirmations received between January 1, 2016 and the date of the processing of this request.

B. Copies of all emailed Google Alerts received between January 1, 2016 and the date of the processing of this request. Google Alerts may be identified by any or all of the following:

1. Containing the phrase "Google Alert" in the Subject line
2. Being sent by an email address with the display name "Google Alerts"
3. Being sent from the email address googlealerts-noreply@google.com

I am a member of the news media and request classification as such. I have previously written about the government and its activities, with some reaching over 100,000 readers in outlets such as Gizmodo, MuckRock, Motherboard, Property of the People, Unicorn Riot, and The Outline, among others. As such, as I have a reasonable expectation of publication and my editorial and writing skills are well established. In addition, I discuss and comment on the files online and make them available through non-profits such as the library Internet Archive and the journalist non-profit MuckRock, disseminating them to a large audience. While my research is not limited to this, a great deal of it, including this, focuses on the activities and attitudes of the government itself. As such, it is not necessary for me to demonstrate the relevance of this particular subject in advance.

As my primary purpose is to inform about government activities by reporting on it and making the raw data available, I request that fees be waived.

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,

Emma Best

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://accounts.muckrock.com/accounts/login/?url_auth_token=AAAIhqR2FqwIRG0aqpbkhSFkpyI%3A1k1jaY%3ABvgZe_gFwTIpACAiFmxM295Qekg&next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.muckrock.com%2Faccounts%2Flogin%2F%3Fnext%3D%252Faccounts%252Fagency_login%252Fsan-francisco-police-department-367%252Fgoogle-alerts-san-francisco-police-department-99027%252F%253Femail%253Dsfpdlegal%252540sfgov.org

Your request is being forwarded to the appropriate department(s) for processing and you will be notified once the request is complete.

You can monitor request progress at the link below.  Thank you for using the San Francisco Public Records Center.


San Francisco Police Department

--- Please respond above this line ---

August 07, 2020
Via email requests@muckrock.com

Emma Best
MuckRock News DEPT MR 99027 411A Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02144

RE: Public Records Request, dated July 31, 2020, Reference # P012932-073120

Dear Emma Best:

The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) received your Public Records Act request, dated July 31, 2020, on August 07, 2020.

You requested, " To Whom It May Concern:"

Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:

A. Copies of emailed Google Alert subscription confirmations received between January 1, 2016 and the date of the processing of this request.

B. Copies of all emailed Google Alerts received between January 1, 2016 and the date of the processing of this request. Google Alerts may be identified by any or all of the following:

1. Containing the phrase "Google Alert" in the Subject line
2. Being sent by an email address with the display name "Google Alerts"
3. Being sent from the email address googlealerts-noreply@google.com

I am a member of the news media and request classification as such. I have previously written about the government and its activities, with some reaching over 100,000 readers in outlets such as Gizmodo, MuckRock, Motherboard, Property of the People, Unicorn Riot, and The Outline, among others. As such, as I have a reasonable expectation of publication and my editorial and writing skills are well established. In addition, I discuss and comment on the files online and make them available through non-profits such as the library Internet Archive and the journalist non-profit MuckRock, disseminating them to a large audience. While my research is not limited to this, a great deal of it, including this, focuses on the activities and attitudes of the government itself. As such, it is not necessary for me to demonstrate the relevance of this particular subject in advance.

As my primary purpose is to inform about government activities by reporting on it and making the raw data available, I request that fees be waived.

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,

Emma Best

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://accounts.muckrock.com/accounts/login/?url_auth_token=AAAIhqR2FqwIRG0aqpbkhSFkpyI%3A1k1jaY%3ABvgZe_gFwTIpACAiFmxM295Qekg&next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.muckrock.com%2Faccounts%2Flogin%2F%3Fnext%3D%252Faccounts%252Fagency_login%252Fsan-francisco-police-department-367%252Fgoogle-alerts-san-francisco-police-department-99027%252F%253Femail%253Dsfpdlegal%252540sfgov.org

Please provide the following clarification:
We received a similar request addressed specifically to the Media Relations Unit.  The result was no responsive records.
Our IT Department attempted to run a search of all Department email accounts using the key words, Google Alert.  The result was over 30,000 "hits" totaling over 4 GB of storage space.  It appears that our email search engine is keying in on the word Google and giving us a substantial number of returns. If we were to proceed with a review of the over 30,000 returns, the process would undoubtedly take months (more likely over a year) to complete.
Are you able to specify any particular department members (such as command staff) for which we can narrow the search ?   Doing so would narrow the scope of our search thereby reducing the number of responses to read through.
If you wish SFPD to proceed with the request, please provide the requested information by .

You may provide a response to SFPD by any of the following methods: 1. by responding to this email,
2. by logging into the Public Records Center and adding a message to your request, (https://u8387795.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=nZGH0ylxadMp5hTpNkeAFs2KguIDF883TvKUiL5Czauo89OcQL1XvHpyaOEmJgdd5d784VH9vGnHWOFgsLgPks4x-2FiHPdP1-2BL5rebdB-2BV4Q-3DQ4iY_G7PYCctPnVp1WtVNyoukjybEceDt4xN43hmJBdQyrFzc8kfJ7zezzD4lYz9EWWbXUvuWi8URGgvjPXStgH1JT2M7tJqfwVmTzx83426ws5Ht6IKOB9W2IyiNhXJrY9XN3f5aOD7d-2F0WzAN1Xg3dcrGumH7-2B67IPzdV-2FZonjTVI8Nmd3vhMB5bq-2BD8Y-2FNVz39sv9ULANyQmKR3xwX6xCN9Jhwjc3CzWJrJpohOcPjLJZbYZnToYZB2bpFMZutyeUK0PfPkYAAbRZzwBLk7dFFQvjplOXt3M0K4trcjeBYYfQIVcP5iE5EpAntwymhBYjrsujF1i2srlV9jlePn-2Bx2vez61wVwtq342VfPOIzJeATtmoMSCGyyctBc8OXVZe3LbNEKLBjxwMgr2-2F4Io6OIRg-3D-3D)
3. by regular mail to Police Department Headquarters, 1245 3rd Street, San Francisco; or
4. in person at Police Department Headquarters, 1245 3rd Street, San Francisco, Monday through Friday, from 8 A.M. until 5 P.M.
Upon receipt of your clarification, SFPD will further respond to your request as required by law, including providing you with an estimate of costs, if any, associated with producing the requested records.

If you have any questions, please contact me at 415-837-7395.

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,

Michael Andraychak
Media Relations

This is an auto-generated email and has originated from an unmonitored email account. Please DO NOT REPLY.

--- Please respond above this line ---

August 17, 2020
Via email requests@muckrock.com

Emma Best
MuckRock News DEPT MR 99027 411A Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02144

RE: Public Records Request, dated July 31, 2020, Reference # P012932-073120

Dear Emma Best:

The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) received your Public Records Act request, dated July 31, 2020, on August 17, 2020.

You requested, " To Whom It May Concern:"

Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:

A. Copies of emailed Google Alert subscription confirmations received between January 1, 2016 and the date of the processing of this request.

B. Copies of all emailed Google Alerts received between January 1, 2016 and the date of the processing of this request. Google Alerts may be identified by any or all of the following:

1. Containing the phrase "Google Alert" in the Subject line
2. Being sent by an email address with the display name "Google Alerts"
3. Being sent from the email address googlealerts-noreply@google.com

I am a member of the news media and request classification as such. I have previously written about the government and its activities, with some reaching over 100,000 readers in outlets such as Gizmodo, MuckRock, Motherboard, Property of the People, Unicorn Riot, and The Outline, among others. As such, as I have a reasonable expectation of publication and my editorial and writing skills are well established. In addition, I discuss and comment on the files online and make them available through non-profits such as the library Internet Archive and the journalist non-profit MuckRock, disseminating them to a large audience. While my research is not limited to this, a great deal of it, including this, focuses on the activities and attitudes of the government itself. As such, it is not necessary for me to demonstrate the relevance of this particular subject in advance.

As my primary purpose is to inform about government activities by reporting on it and making the raw data available, I request that fees be waived.

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,

Emma Best

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://accounts.muckrock.com/accounts/login/?url_auth_token=AAAIhqR2FqwIRG0aqpbkhSFkpyI%3A1k1jaY%3ABvgZe_gFwTIpACAiFmxM295Qekg&next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.muckrock.com%2Faccounts%2Flogin%2F%3Fnext%3D%252Faccounts%252Fagency_login%252Fsan-francisco-police-department-367%252Fgoogle-alerts-san-francisco-police-department-99027%252F%253Femail%253Dsfpdlegal%252540sfgov.org

Please provide the following clarification: Our IT Department attempted to run a search of all Department email accounts using the key words, Google Alert.  The result was over 30,000 "hits" totaling over 4 GB of storage space.  It appears that our email search engine is keying in on the word Google and giving us a substantial number of returns. If we were to proceed with a review of the over 30,000 returns, the process would undoubtedly take months (more likely over a year) to complete. Are you able to specify any particular department members (such as command staff) for which we can narrow the search ?   Doing so would narrow the scope of our search thereby reducing the number of responses to read through.

If you wish SFPD to proceed with the request, please provide the requested information by ASAP.

You may provide a response to SFPD by any of the following methods: 1. by responding to this email,
2. by logging into the Public Records Center and adding a message to your request, (https://u8387795.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=nZGH0ylxadMp5hTpNkeAFs2KguIDF883TvKUiL5Czauo89OcQL1XvHpyaOEmJgdd5d784VH9vGnHWOFgsLgPks4x-2FiHPdP1-2BL5rebdB-2BV4Q-3DiZ8p_G7PYCctPnVp1WtVNyoukjybEceDt4xN43hmJBdQyrFzc8kfJ7zezzD4lYz9EWWbXUvuWi8URGgvjPXStgH1JT19oXq8FXa4gf1DDPYyaujozfNqha6nVTt9LbDwan3uAVDapOau42tfrvNyKpir8G-2BPiTEaq-2BKNyobQKaNhnC80eC0CBD-2BfIVMEAw0dojAmfE2owrMjJm2pODfq5NRqd7HOnTF60guTdUEMkxkBDdGWe0UY4PMb1TmWpvqpGW9wZFxybrFVRR8Jq0PUIIKQ4XQVieSY8Vky3fvJWne3ADfuN9dxrrEe96XzoHRSw8rQL4RxfOUDYTpGZd2cTWTsueaF508TxiZRkcitcH051I-2Bh-2FoBK-2Bt2VpMtb8j-2BjANgBSBdBlAdwLmjkc2gw-2F0E1lWQ-3D-3D)
3. by regular mail to Police Department Headquarters, 1245 3rd Street, San Francisco; or
4. in person at Police Department Headquarters, 1245 3rd Street, San Francisco, Monday through Friday, from 8 A.M. until 5 P.M.
Upon receipt of your clarification, SFPD will further respond to your request as required by law, including providing you with an estimate of costs, if any, associated with producing the requested records.

If you have any questions, please contact me at 415-837-7395.

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,

Michael Andraychak
Media Relations

This is an auto-generated email and has originated from an unmonitored email account. Please DO NOT REPLY.

--- Please respond above this line ---

September 02, 2020 Via email requests@muckrock.com
Emma Best
MuckRock News DEPT MR 99027 411A Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02144
RE: Public Records Request, dated July 31, 2020, Reference # P012932-073120
Dear Emma Best:
The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) received your Public Records Act request, dated July 31, 2020, on September 02, 2020.
You requested, " To Whom It May Concern:"

Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:

A. Copies of emailed Google Alert subscription confirmations received between January 1, 2016 and the date of the processing of this request.

B. Copies of all emailed Google Alerts received between January 1, 2016 and the date of the processing of this request. Google Alerts may be identified by any or all of the following:

1. Containing the phrase "Google Alert" in the Subject line
2. Being sent by an email address with the display name "Google Alerts"
3. Being sent from the email address googlealerts-noreply@google.com

I am a member of the news media and request classification as such. I have previously written about the government and its activities, with some reaching over 100,000 readers in outlets such as Gizmodo, MuckRock, Motherboard, Property of the People, Unicorn Riot, and The Outline, among others. As such, as I have a reasonable expectation of publication and my editorial and writing skills are well established. In addition, I discuss and comment on the files online and make them available through non-profits such as the library Internet Archive and the journalist non-profit MuckRock, disseminating them to a large audience. While my research is not limited to this, a great deal of it, including this, focuses on the activities and attitudes of the government itself. As such, it is not necessary for me to demonstrate the relevance of this particular subject in advance.

As my primary purpose is to inform about government activities by reporting on it and making the raw data available, I request that fees be waived.

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,

Emma Best

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://accounts.muckrock.com/accounts/login/?url_auth_token=AAAIhqR2FqwIRG0aqpbkhSFkpyI%3A1k1jaY%3ABvgZe_gFwTIpACAiFmxM295Qekg&next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.muckrock.com%2Faccounts%2Flogin%2F%3Fnext%3D%252Faccounts%252Fagency_login%252Fsan-francisco-police-department-367%252Fgoogle-alerts-san-francisco-police-department-99027%252F%253Femail%253Dsfpdlegal%252540sfgov.org
We requested clarification from you but did not see a response.  We interpreted your request to mean Google Alerts for Command Staff Members.  Email accounts for the Chief of Police, both Assistant Chiefs and the Deputy Chiefs were searched. Responsive records are available via the San Francisco Public Records Center. Click on the link below to view your request. Public Records Request - P012932-073120
Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
Sergeant Michael Andraychak
Officer in Charge
Media Relations

This is an auto-generated email and has originated from an unmonitored email account. Please DO NOT REPLY.