Source code for Seattle Police Dept Online Police Reports application
| Submitted | Jan. 30, 2013 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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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:
Source code for the Seattle Police Department's Online Police Reports Web application, along with associated metadata and revision history.
My preferences for format of the information, from most preferable to least, are as follows:
1. remote access to the revision control system in which the source code is stored (read-only, of course) via Web browser or Subversion, Bazaar, Git, or Mercurial client
2. a copy of the entire repository with all revision history (assuming it is a standard, non-proprietary system such as RCS, CVS, Subversion, Bazaar, Git, or Mercurial)
3. snapshots of the software in the repository which correspond to the version of the software currently deployed and to the latest version committed to the repository
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 # P2013-326
Dear Mr. Phil Mocek,
This letter is in response to your public disclosure request dated January 30, 2013 and received by the Seattle Police Department’s Public Disclosure Unit on January 30, 2013 for:
1. remote access to the revision control system in which the source code is stored (read-only, of course) via Web browser or Subversion, Bazaar, Git, or Mercurial client
2. a copy of the entire repository with all revision history (assuming it is a standard, non-proprietary system such as RCS, CVS, Subversion, Bazaar, Git, or Mercurial)
3. snapshots of the software in the repository which correspond to the version of the software currently deployed and to the latest version committed to the repository
We still need additional time to research and respond to your request. We anticipate a response to your request on or about March 1, 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 4,000 public disclosure requests annually. The current volume of Public Disclosure Requests combined with SPD staffing and City-wide budget cuts requires this additional time.
If you have any questions, please contact the Public Disclosure Desk at 206-684-5481.
Sincerely,
John Diaz
Chief of Police
Rodger Stephenson
Admin Specialist II
Public Disclosure Unit
JD:rs
From: Seafeldt, Albert
Mr. Mocek,
I am responding to your email below on behalf of the Department of Information Technology for Source code for the Seattle Police Department's Online Police Reports Web application, along with associated metadata and revision history.
In order to respond to your request, I need clarification on what you mean by "associated metadata." Also, I will need a date range for your request.
If I do not receive a response within 30 days of this email, I will consider this request closed.
From: SPD-PDR, SPD
PDR # P2013-0326
Mr. Mocek:
The purpose of this email is to notify you that the Seattle Police Department is officially closing your request, as the City of Seattle Department of IT will be responding to your request.
You may file a written appeal of this response with the Chief of Police within ten (10) business days from the date of this letter. Please include your name and address and a copy of this letter together with a brief statement identifying the basis of the appeal. Please mail or deliver your appeal to:
Chief of Police
Seattle Police Department
PO Box 34986
Seattle, WA 98124-4986
If you have any questions, you can contact our Public Disclosure Desk at 206-684-5481.
From: Phil Mocek
Dir Sir or Madam:
On February 6, 2013, Albert Seafeldt wrote, "I need clarification on what you mean by `associated metadata.' Also, I will need a date range for your request."
By "metadata" I mean data about the data. For instance, for an electronic document created by word processing software, this is the data about the document that is not typically printed along with the finished product: filename, author, other contributors, modification dates, editing notes, etc. I don't know what is available, but I wish for you not to withhold it.
Please see <http://www.clearwellsystems.com/e-discovery-blog/2011/02/28/judge-scheindlin-decides-that-the-metadata-is-%e2%80%9cintegral%e2%80%9d-in-foia-case-fmr-judge-ron-hedges-weighs-in/> (or <http://bit.ly/luaqhp>) for, "Judge Scheindlin Decides that the Metadata is `Integral' in FOIA Case: Fmr. Judge Ron Hedges Weighs In," an informative analysis of related issues.
I don't understand how a date range is relevant to my request, but if as you say, you need one, please use the range from the first revision of the software until the date you complete processing of my request.
Cordially,
Phil Mocek
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 Jan. 30, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thank you for your help.
From: Seafeldt, Albert
Mr. Mocek,
We are researching the amount of work and time that will be required to compile the requested documentation. Please expect to hear from me by March 13, 2013 with an estimated timeframe on delivery.
From: Seafeldt, Albert
Mr. Mocek,
We have determined that it will take approximately 1 month to compile the requested documentation and responsive to your request. Please expect a response from me by April 16, 2013.
From: Seafeldt, Albert
Mr. Mocek,
I am following up with City staff to determine the status of the response to your request. Please expect a response from my be Monday, April 22, 2013.
Thank you,
Albert Seafeldt | City of Seattle
206.615.1265
albert.seafeldt@seattle.gov<mailto:albert.seafeldt@seattle.gov>
From: Coppersmith, Megan
Mr. Mocek,
The requested documentation is still being compiled and reviewed. We expect it will take an additional 4 weeks to respond to your request. Pleas expect a response by Monday, May 20, 2013.
Thank you for your patience.
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 Jan. 30, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thank you for your help.
From: Coppersmith, Megan
Mr. Mocek,
The requested documentation is still being compiled and reviewed. We expect it have a response to you by Friday, May 31, 2013.
Thank you for your patience.
Megan Coppersmith
City of Seattle Department of Information Technology
megan.coppersmith@seattle.gov<mailto:megan.coppersmith@seattle.gov>
From: Coppersmith, Megan
[cid:image003.jpg@01CE6074.2B97BB00]
City of Seattle
Department of Information Technology
Via email: requests@muckrock.com<mailto:requests@muckrock.com>
June 3, 2013
Phil Mocek
MuckRock News
DEPT MR 2633
PO Box 55819
Boston, MA 02205-5819
RE: PDR#2013-003 Seattle Police Department's Online Police Reports Web application source code
Dear Mr. Mocek:
On January 30, 2013 you submitted a records request to the Seattle Police Department. On February 6, 2013, your request was referred to the Department of Information Technology (DoIT) for potentially responsive records.
You requested the following:
Source code for the Seattle Police Department's Online Police Reports Web application, along with associated metadata and revision history.
Information that would provide access to the Seattle Police Department's database and other City databases has been redacted throughout the responsive records. This information is exempt under RCW 42.56.420(4), which exempts "[i]nformation regarding the infrastructure and security of computer and telecommunications networks, consisting of security passwords, security access codes and programs, access codes for secure software applications, security and service recovery plans, security risk assessments, and security test results to the extent that they identify specific system vulnerabilities." Providing unauthorized access to the City's databases could compromise the security of those databases, impair the City's ability to perform vital governmental operations and inhibit the City's ability to provide a response in an emergency.
Records responsive to your request have been burned to a disk and are ready for you to pick up. This can be picked up at our offices (Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 Fifth Ave, Suite 2700) or mailed to you. The disk costs $1.00. It will cost an additional $2.00 to mail. We require payment when the disk is picked up or prior to it being mailed. The disk will be available to you for the next 30 days. Please let me know how you would like to proceed.
This satisfies your request and it will now be considered closed. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Very truly yours,
Megan Coppersmith
-
image003
From: Phil Mocek
RE: my records request of January 30, 2013 (your identifier P2013-0326)
Dear Sir or Madam:
On July 11, 2013, I received via postal mail a CDROM labeled "2013-003; MOCEK - SPD; June 3, 2013". I note that some metadata (e.g., commit log) is missing. Please provide metadata as requested.
FYI, for more convenient public access to this record, I merged the updates made since the dump I received in 2010 and pushed them to a [public git repository][1].
[1]: <https://github.com/pmocek/seattle-police-online-reports>
Thank you for your continued assistance.
Cordially,
Phil Mocek
From: Coppersmith, Megan
Hi Phil,
I would like to put you in touch with the folks most familiar with this data, to best figure out what you're looking for and get you the correct information.
Would you be available for a phone call next week? I will plan on taking notes of everything discussed.
From: Coppersmith, Megan
Mr. Mocek,
I have not heard back from you regarding questions from my 7/19 email. Please consider this response now closed.
From: Phil Mocek
RE: my records request of January 30, 2013 (your identifier P2013-0326)
Dear Sir or Madam:
I apologize for missing your e-mail of July 19. Is a clone of your revision control system available? I don't mean to create busywork, but I do think that development of this public resource should be done in public, and that alternatively, information about that development should be made after the fact.
Cordially,
Phil Mocek
From: Coppersmith, Megan
Mr. Mocek,
I am looking into your request and hope to have a response within the week. I will be in touch.
From: Coppersmith, Megan
Mr. Mocek,
I would like to put you in touch with the folks most familiar with this data, to best figure out what you're looking for and get you the correct information.
Would you be available for a phone call next week? I will plan on taking notes of everything discussed.
Please let me know if this works for you and some dates/times that you would be available.
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