Automatic vehicle location database (Seattle Police Department)
| Tracking # |
13-2193 |
| Submitted | July 10, 2013 |
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Communications
From: Phil Mocek
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to RCW Ch. 42.56 (Public Records Act), I hereby request the following records:
Full and complete database of automatic vehicle location (AVL) data in its native electronic format, with related metadata, including database schema.
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
From: SPD-PDR, SPD
RE: Public Disclosure Request: PDR #13-2193
Dear Mr. Mocek,
This letter is in response to your public disclosure request dated July 10, 2013 received by the Seattle Police Department Public Disclosure Unit on July 10, 2013 for a full and complete database of automatic vehicle location (AVL) data in its native electronic format, with related metadata, including database schema.
Pursuant to RCW 42.56.520, this is notification that we have received your public disclosure request. We anticipate a response to you on or about August 23, 2013.
This additional time is used to research this request, collect responsive records, and/or prepare records for dissemination. Please note: Seattle Police Department currently receives approximately 5,000 public disclosure requests annually.
If you have any questions or need further assistance with this request, please contact the Public Disclosure Desk at 206-684-5481.
Sincerely,
Jim Pugel
Chief of Police
Tracy Whitlatch
Administrative Specialist II
Public Disclosure Unit
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 10, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #13-2193.
Thank you for your help.
From: SPD-PDR, SPD
Mr. Mocek,
As stated below...
We anticipate a response to you on or about August 23, 2013.
From: SPD-PDR, SPD
PDR # P2013-2193
Mr. Mocek,
The purpose of this email is to provide you with a status update regarding your public disclosure request. The Department needs additional time to respond to your request. At this time, the Department anticipates having a response to you on or about September 25, 2013.
If you have any questions, you can contact the Public Disclosure Desk at 206-684-5481.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 10, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #13-2193.
Thank you for your help.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 10, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #13-2193.
Thank you for your help.
From: SPD-PDR, SPD
Mr. Mocek,
The Department anticipates having a response to you on or about September 25, 2013.
From: SPD-PDR, SPD
PDR # P2013-2193
Mr. Mocek,
This is in response to your request, dated July 10, 201, for Full and complete database of automatic vehicle location (AVL) data in its native electronic format, with related metadata, including database schema. SPD does not maintain a database of AVL data. The Public Records Act does not require agencies to create records that do not exist at the time of the request. Smith v. Okanogan County, 100 Wn. App. 7, 14, 994 P.2d 857 (2000). The Department would have to undertake extensive customized programming of text files in order to create such a database. See WAC 44-14-05004. The Department estimates the cost of providing the customized programming would $2580.00 (at an hourly wage of $64.50 per hour x 40 hours). The Department will begin the necessary customized programming upon receipt of a 10% deposit ($258.00) and will release the responsive database upon receipt of the remainder.
If the Department does not receive your deposit within 30 days or by October 25, 2013, the Department will consider your request closed.
The Seattle Police Department accepts checks and/or money orders only. Please make your check or money order payable to the Seattle Police Department, and send to my attention at PO Box 34986, Seattle, WA 98124-4986.
If you have any questions, please contact the Public Disclosure Desk at 206-684-5481.
From: Phil Mocek
RE: my public records request of July 10, 2013 (your identifier: P2013-2193)
Dear Ms. Whitlatch:
I received your e-mail of September 25, 2013. Although I appreciate your offer to convert the records into database form, that won't be necessary, as the intent of my request is to simply obtain the records in their native electronic format.
In your e-mail, you stated that SPD "would have to undertake extensive customized programming of text files," which I take as confirmation that SPD possesses the responsive records already in electronic format. Please provide them to me as they are without making any unnecessary conversions.
Cordially,
Phil Mocek
From: SPD-PDR, SPD
PDR # P2013-2193
Mr. Mocek,
This email is in response to your email on October 15, 2013. As we previously informed you, producing this information involves complicated customized programming, which is beyond an agency’s obligation under the PRA. While not required by the PRA, SPD nevertheless plans on performing the requisite programming and ultimately make AVL information available online to the general public. Given SPD’s IT priorities, we cannot say precisely when this will be done.
At this time, the Department is closing your request and we ask that you check back with the Department at a later date.
Thank you,
Sheila
Sheila Friend Gray
Public Disclosure Unit Manager
Seattle Police Department
206-733-9313
Sheila.FriendGray@Seattle.gov
Files
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