Amazon traffic and parking

This is an automated message from the DC Government FOIA system. Dear Lauren Gurley,
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DC Government FOIA Portal Having technical difficulties? Email FOIA.SystemAdmin@dc.gov or call 202-478-5973

This is an automated message from the DC Government FOIA system. Dear Lauren Gurley, Request Number 2021-FOIA-07498 has been assigned to the request you submitted in relation to: Request description: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the DC Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
Public reports (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/27/nyregion/nyc-amazon-delivery.html, https://apps.bostonglobe.com/metro/investigations/spotlight/2019/11/19/seeing-red//boston-traffic-stuck-politics/ ) state that Amazon delivery vans create traffic, parking problems, and congestion in major cities where Amazon delivers, such as New York City, Boston, and San Francisco.
Therefore, I hereby request the following records:
1) A copy of all complaints, suggestions, emails, or other communications that mention "Amazon," "Amazon vans," "Amazon delivery vans" or "Amazon" AND "parking" sent or received between 08/01/2020 and 08/01/2021.
2) All instructional materials, presentations and presentation materials (including recorded video and audio, PowerPoint files, prepared remarks, and slides formats), and other guidance on Amazon delivery vans. This includes any notes taken during meetings that discuss "Amazon," "Amazon vans," "Amazon delivery vans" or "Amazon" AND "parking"
3) Any case reports that mention "Amazon," "Amazon vans," "Amazon delivery vans" or "Amazon" AND "parking", and "Amazon" AND "traffic"
4) Any photos or videos taken by the department or submitted to the department of Amazon vans, Amazon employees, or Amazon warehouses.
5) Any digital communications (including but not limited to emails and text messages) as well as presentations and documents, (including but not limited to PDF, word processing, excel, and slide documents) that mention "Amazon," "Amazon vans," "Amazon delivery vans" or "Amazon" AND "parking"
6) Any digital communications (including but not limited to emails and text messages) with Amazon representatives.
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,
Lauren Gurley

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 15 business days, as the statute requires In all future correspondence regarding this request, please reference request number 2021-FOIA-07498. To check for status, please log in  https://foia-dc.gov/palMain.aspx and go to Request Status. For any questions regarding your request, please contact the FOIA office directly. Find the list of agency Open Governement and FOIA contact information by visiting FOIA Contact Information. For ease of reference, we ask that you have your FOIA Request Number available when you contact the FOIA office. (https://dc.gov/node/818962) Regards,
DC Government FOIA Portal Having technical difficulties? Email FOIA.SystemAdmin@dc.gov or call 202-478-5973

This is an automated message from the DC Government FOIA system. Dear Lauren Gurley, The status for your request is below. Please log into https://foia-dc.gov/palMain.aspx and go to Request Status. If you have any questions regarding the status of your request, please contact the agency's FOIA office that you had submitted your FOIA request to. You can communicate directly with the FOIA office by clicking on Inbox, search the request number, and then click Compose Message. OR, visit to see a list DC Government FOIA Office’s/officer’s contact information and have your Request ID ready. (https://dc.gov/node/818962) Contact FOIA Office Request status: Assigned for Processing Request ID: 2021-FOIA-07498 Description: To Whom It May Concern:Pursuant to the DC Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:Public reports (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/27/nyregion/nyc-amazon-delivery.html, https://apps.bostonglobe.com/metro/investigations/spotlight/2019/11/19/seeing-red//boston-traffic-stuck-politics/ ) state that Amazon delivery vans create traffic, parking problems, and congestion in major cities where Amazon delivers, such as New York City, Boston, and San Francisco.Therefore, I hereby request the following records:1) A copy of all complaints, suggestions, emails, or other communications that mention "Amazon," "Amazon vans," "Amazon delivery vans" or "Amazon" AND "parking" sent or received between 08/01/2020 and 08/01/2021.2) All instructional materials, presentations and presentation materials (including recorded video and audio, PowerPoint files, prepared remarks, and slides formats), and other guidance on Amazon delivery vans. This includes any notes taken during meetings that discuss "Amazon," "Amazon vans," "Amazon delivery vans" or "Amazon" AND "parking"3) Any case reports that mention "Amazon," "Amazon vans," "Amazon delivery vans" or "Amazon" AND "parking", and "Amazon" AND "traffic"4) Any photos or videos taken by the department or submitted to the department of Amazon vans, Amazon employees, or Amazon warehouses.5) Any digital communications (including but not limited to emails and text messages) as well as presentations and documents, (including but not limited to PDF, word processing, excel, and slide documents) that mention "Amazon," "Amazon vans," "Amazon delivery vans" or "Amazon" AND "parking"6) Any digital communications (including but not limited to emails and text messages) with Amazon representatives.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,Lauren GurleyThe 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 15 business days, as the statute requires Regards,
DC Government FOIA Portal

August 20, 2021

Lauren Gurley
Via MuckRock News
Department MR 117065
411A Highland Avenue
Somerville, Massachusetts 02144-2516
Phone: 617-299-1832
requests@muckrock.com

RE: FOIA Request No.: 2021-FOIA-07498

Dear Ms. Gurley:

This concerns your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for: ") A copy of all complaints, suggestions, emails, or other communications that mention "Amazon," "Amazon vans," "Amazon delivery vans" or "Amazon" AND "parking" sent or received between 08/01/2020 and 08/01/2021. 2) All instructional materials, presentations and presentation materials (including recorded video and audio, PowerPoint files, prepared remarks, and slides formats), and other guidance on Amazon delivery vans. This includes any notes taken during meetings that discuss "Amazon," "Amazon vans," "Amazon delivery vans" or "Amazon" AND "parking" 3) Any case reports that mention "Amazon," "Amazon vans," "Amazon delivery vans" or "Amazon" AND "parking", and "Amazon" AND "traffic" 4) Any photos or videos taken by the department or submitted to the department of Amazon vans, Amazon employees, or Amazon warehouses. 5) Any digital communications (including but not limited to emails and text messages) as well as presentations and documents, (including but not limited to PDF, word processing, excel, and slide documents) that mention "Amazon," "Amazon vans," "Amazon delivery vans" or "Amazon" AND "parking" 6) Any digital communications (including but not limited to emails and text messages) with Amazon representatives.

A review of the description of this request was such that we are not able to perform a reasonable search. The FOIA specifies that a FOIA request must reasonably describe specific records sought, such that agency staff familiar with the records may reasonably ascertain exactly which records are being requested, and to locate them. The courts have recognized that the legislative history of the FOIA indicates that a description of a requested record is sufficient if it enables a professional agency employee familiar with the subject area to locate the record with a "reasonable amount of effort." Courts have also found that requests that are so broad and sweeping that they lack specificity are not reasonably described.

This request asks for records based on or related to words or phrases related to "Amazon". While this covers a certain category of records, it lacks specificity as to particular, specific documents and searches for such a category would require exhaustive efforts which may produce a large volume of materials that are not related to or focused on a particular stated subject matter. Researching, searching for, and processing documents produced in an initial search for such a request will take an inordinate amount of FOIA processing time. The processing of FOIA requests is very a time- and labor-intensive process, and requires locating tentatively responsive records; reviewing to identify material that is responsive as well as material that may be exempt from release under the FOIA; coordinating and consulting with components and agencies which may have an interest in the disposition of the records, and the completion of further administrative processing and review. The courts have said that the FOIA was not intended to reduce government agencies to be investigators or to perform research on behalf of requesters. Again, the FOIA does not require agencies to conduct "unreasonably burdensome" searches for records.

Please note that the District of Columbia (DC) FOIA, DC Code §§ 2-531-539, provides that while a person has the right to request access to existing records, it does not require agencies to do research, analyze data, answer written questions, or create records to respond to a FOIA request.

Therefore, upon further review of your FOIA request, we find this FOIA request, on the whole, does not meet the standard of reasonableness such as to enable the MPD to perform both a reasonable and adequate search for responsive records, and we are closing our file on this FOIA request. This does not affect your ability to submit a new FOIA request, in the future, on this or other subject matter. However, we strongly advise that a significantly more refined and limited description be provided for any future FOIA request(s) such that it is as specific as possible relative to (a) particular record(s), along with, if at all possible, the author and recipient, specific date (rather than a broad range of dates), specific subject matter, and content.

Please know that, under D.C. Official Code § 2-537 and 1 DCMR § 412, you have the right to appeal this letter to the Mayor or to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. If you elect to appeal to the Mayor, your appeal must be in writing and contain "Freedom of Information Act Appeal" or "FOIA Appeal" in the subject line of the letter as well on the outside of the envelope. The appeal must include (1) a copy of the original request; (2) a copy of any written denial; (3) a statement of the circumstances, reasons, and/or arguments advanced in support of disclosure; and (4) a daytime telephone number, an e-mail and/or U.S. mailing address at which you can be reached.

The appeal must be mailed to: The Mayor's Office of Legal Counsel, FOIA Appeal, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 407, Washington, D.C. 20004. Electronic versions of the same information can instead be e-mailed to The Mayor's Office of Legal Counsel at foia.appeals@dc.gov<mailto:foia.appeals@dc.gov>. Further, a copy of all appeal materials must be forwarded to the Freedom of Information Officer of the involved agency, or to the agency head of that agency, if there is no designated Freedom of Information Officer there. Failure to follow these administrative steps will result in delay in the processing and commencement of a response to your appeal to the Mayor.

Sincerely,

Bob Eckert

FOIA Specialist

Freedom of Information Act Office

Metropolitan Police Department

District of Columbia

Robert.eckert@dc.gov<mailto:Robert.eckert@dc.gov>

"Excellence is transferable."

This is an automated message from the DC Government FOIA system. Dear Lauren Gurley, The status for your request is below. Please log into https://foia-dc.gov/palMain.aspx and go to Request Status. If you have any questions regarding the status of your request, please contact the agency's FOIA office that you had submitted your FOIA request to. You can communicate directly with the FOIA office by clicking on Inbox, search the request number, and then click Compose Message. OR, visit to see a list DC Government FOIA Office’s/officer’s contact information and have your Request ID ready. (https://dc.gov/node/818962) Contact FOIA Office Request status: Closed Request ID: 2021-FOIA-07498 Description: To Whom It May Concern:Pursuant to the DC Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:Public reports (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/27/nyregion/nyc-amazon-delivery.html, https://apps.bostonglobe.com/metro/investigations/spotlight/2019/11/19/seeing-red//boston-traffic-stuck-politics/ ) state that Amazon delivery vans create traffic, parking problems, and congestion in major cities where Amazon delivers, such as New York City, Boston, and San Francisco.Therefore, I hereby request the following records:1) A copy of all complaints, suggestions, emails, or other communications that mention "Amazon," "Amazon vans," "Amazon delivery vans" or "Amazon" AND "parking" sent or received between 08/01/2020 and 08/01/2021.2) All instructional materials, presentations and presentation materials (including recorded video and audio, PowerPoint files, prepared remarks, and slides formats), and other guidance on Amazon delivery vans. This includes any notes taken during meetings that discuss "Amazon," "Amazon vans," "Amazon delivery vans" or "Amazon" AND "parking"3) Any case reports that mention "Amazon," "Amazon vans," "Amazon delivery vans" or "Amazon" AND "parking", and "Amazon" AND "traffic"4) Any photos or videos taken by the department or submitted to the department of Amazon vans, Amazon employees, or Amazon warehouses.5) Any digital communications (including but not limited to emails and text messages) as well as presentations and documents, (including but not limited to PDF, word processing, excel, and slide documents) that mention "Amazon," "Amazon vans," "Amazon delivery vans" or "Amazon" AND "parking"6) Any digital communications (including but not limited to emails and text messages) with Amazon representatives.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,Lauren GurleyThe 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 15 business days, as the statute requires Regards,
DC Government FOIA Portal