The "Suspicious Disc" from SCPD case number 17s-05837 (Santa Cruz Police Department)

Good Afternoon Mr. Petti,

This email is in response to your July 24, 2020 request for public records from the City of Santa Cruz as detailed below.

Under the California Public Records Act (CPRA) you are entitled to copies of identifiable, non-exempt public records (Govt. Code section 6253). Please note that the CPRA requires the City to provide access to, or copies of, records responsive to your request which are in its possession, subject to certain exceptions. The CPRA does not require the City to provide information, answer questions, or create records which do not exist.

Requested Records:

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

The contents of the "suspicious disks" found as part of SCPD case number 17s-05837.

Any other documents related to SCPD case number 17s-05837 or the related NCRIC investigation.

On July 19, 2017, Santa Cruz Seaside Company security employee Daniel Hedden encountered two "suspicious disks" containing "suspicious materials." The disks were given to SCPD and forwarded NCRIC. See the attached incident report.

I request that I be properly classified as a news media requester. I am a reporter for the National Interest, and I am requesting this information in that editorial capacity.

The National Interest is widely recognized for its reporting, publishing regular features on issues of public interest and importance. In addition, I have covered areas related to this request, and plan to use my editorial skills to analyze and produce original reporting work for millions of monthly readers at NationalInterest.org.

If you have any questions about my media status, please contact me.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes."

As part of the COVID-19 response, City offices were closed beginning March 17, 2020. City staff are beginning to return to their posts, varied to the needs of each department. Accordingly, our response times for public records act requests will likely be delayed. However, we will diligently process requests as staff time permits.

In the meantime, thank you for your patience.

Brett Willman
Records Coordinator
City of Santa Cruz
831-420-5034

Public Records Requests may be submitted online via the Public Records Request form, by email, or by hard copy form available at the City Clerk's Office located at 809 Center Street, Room 9, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.

Please note: Public Record Act Requests submitted via email, fax, USPS, or dropoff after 5:00 p.m. on a business day, Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays will be processed as received on the next open business day. The 10-day response period begins when the request is received.

Good Morning Mr. Petti,

This email is in response to your July 24, 2020 request for public records from the City of Santa Cruz as detailed below.

Under the California Public Records Act (CPRA) you are entitled to copies of identifiable, non-exempt public records (Govt. Code section 6253). Please note that the CPRA requires the City to provide access to, or copies of, records responsive to your request which are in its possession, subject to certain exceptions. The CPRA does not require the City to provide information, answer questions, or create records which do not exist.

Requested Records:

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

The contents of the "suspicious disks" found as part of SCPD case number 17s-05837.

Any other documents related to SCPD case number 17s-05837 or the related NCRIC investigation.

On July 19, 2017, Santa Cruz Seaside Company security employee Daniel Hedden encountered two "suspicious disks" containing "suspicious materials." The disks were given to SCPD and forwarded NCRIC. See the attached incident report.

I request that I be properly classified as a news media requester. I am a reporter for the National Interest, and I am requesting this information in that editorial capacity.

The National Interest is widely recognized for its reporting, publishing regular features on issues of public interest and importance. In addition, I have covered areas related to this request, and plan to use my editorial skills to analyze and produce original reporting work for millions of monthly readers at NationalInterest.org.

If you have any questions about my media status, please contact me.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.”

After conducting a reasonable search for requested records, the City Clerk, in consultation with Andrew Mills, Chief of Police, determined that any and all responsive records are exempt from disclosure under the CPRA. Specifically, the records are withheld pursuant to:

☒ Law Enforcement Investigation Records • Gov’t Code § 6254(f)

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Thank you,

Brett Willman
Records Coordinator
City of Santa Cruz
831-420-5034

Public Records Requests may be submitted online via the Public Records Request form, by email, or by hard copy form available at the City Clerk’s Office located at 809 Center Street, Room 9, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.

Please note: Public Record Act Requests submitted via email, fax, USPS, or dropoff after 5:00 p.m. on a business day, Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays will be processed as received on the next open business day. The 10-day response period begins when the request is received.