FOIA - Black House Autonomous Zone (Metropolitan Police Department)

This is an automated message from the DC Government FOIA system. Dear J Ader, Request Number 2020-FOIA-06317 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:

All documents - including memos, briefs, alerts, bulletins, maps, and emails - containing the words "Black House Autonomous Zone", "BHAZ", "autonomous zone" and/or "autonomous" created from June 22nd, 2020 to June 24th, 2020.

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.

Sincerely,

J Ader

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://www.muckrock.com/ In all future correspondence regarding this request, please reference request number 2020-FOIA-06317. 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

Dear Mr. Ader, This office is in receipt of your Freedomof Information Act (FOIA) request. Your FOIA request number is 2020-FOIA-06317 andyour assigned FOIA Specialist is Kimberly Robinson. If youhave any questions regarding your request, please contact your assigned FOIASpecialist at (202) 727-3721.  For ease of reference, we ask that you haveyour FOIA Request Number available when you contact our office. Please know, pursuant to D.C. Official Code §2-532(c), we have 15 business-days, subject to the possibility of a ten (10)business day extension to respond to the request as of the date ofreceipt. Be advised, if your requestis for Body Worn Camera (BWC) footage, D.C. Code § 2-532(c) allows 25business days subject to the possibility of 15 working-day extension, torespond to the request as of the date of receipt. COVID-19Notification Pursuantto section 503 of the COVID-19 Response Emergency Amendment Act of 2020,effective March 17, 2020, D.C. Act 23-247, all FOIA deadlines may be extendedduring the public health emergency declared by the Mayor. Regards, Latrina Crumlin Staff Assistant,Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Office MetropolitanPolice Department 300Indiana Avenue, Rm 4153

This is an automated message from the DC Government FOIA system. Dear J Ader, 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: In Process Request ID: 2020-FOIA-06317 Description: To Whom It May Concern:Pursuant to the DC Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:All documents - including memos, briefs, alerts, bulletins, maps, and emails - containing the words "Black House Autonomous Zone", "BHAZ", "autonomous zone" and/or "autonomous" created from June 22nd, 2020 to June 24th, 2020.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.Sincerely,J AderUpload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://www.muckrock.com/ Regards,
DC Government FOIA Portal

Re: FOIA Request No.2020-FOIA-06317 Dear J Ader:

Pursuant to D.C. Official Code § 2-532(c), we have 15 business-days, subject tothe possibility of a ten (10) business day extension to respond to the requestas of the date of receipt.  Because your request falls under one and/orboth of the categories listed below, we are exercising the additional ten (10)day extension pursuant to D.C. Official Code § 2-532(d)(2) for the followingreason(s): 1. S earch for, collect, and appropriately examine a voluminousamount of records and/or; 2. T o consult with other components within and/or outside theagency. Be advised, if your request is for Body Worn Camera (BWC)footage, D.C.Code § 2-532(c) allows 25 business days subject to the possibility of 15working-day extension, to respond to the request as of the date ofreceipt. COVID-19Notification Pursuant to section 503 of the COVID-19 Response EmergencyAmendment Act of 2020, effective March 17, 2020, D.C. Act 23-247, all FOIAdeadlines may be extended during the public health emergency declared by theMayor. Sincere regards, Kimberly Robinson FOIA Specialist Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)Office Metropolitan Police Department

Dear J Ader,
A message has been sent to your account in the DC Government FOIA Portal. Once logged in; click on the Request Status link in the left panel, locate request #2020-FOIA-06317, and select the message to view it.
Click here to log in https://foia-dc.gov/palMain.aspx.
Regards,
DC Government FOIA Portal

September 14, 2021

J. Ader

411A Highland Avenue

MR96593

Somerville, Massachusetts 02144

requests@muckrock.com<mailto:requests@muckrock.com>

RE: FOIA Request No. 2020-FOIA-06317

Dear Mr. Dastin:

This concerns your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for: "All documents - including memos, briefs, alerts, bulletins, maps, and emails - containing the words "Black House Autonomous Zone", "BHAZ", "autonomous zone" and/or "autonomous" created from June 22nd, 2020 to June 24th, 2020."

Upon review, the description of this request is such that we are not able to perform a reasonable and adequate search for specific documents relative to specific subject matter or other identifying characteristics such as the author and recipient, and content. This FOIA request does not contain an adequate description as it asks for materials with only keywords or phrases being provided in lieu of a subject or particular matter; and, in effect, asks for research to be performed.

The FOIA specifies that a FOIA request must reasonably describe 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." The courts have also found that requests that are so broad and sweeping that they lack specificity are not reasonably described.

This FOIA request asks for all records of a certain type, or by broad category or categories, i.e., "All documents" without limitation and without specific, particularized subject matter and other specifically identifying characteristics pertaining to specific records. As such, it describes (a) broad area(s) of records and, again, lacks specificity as to a particular subject-matter and again, in effect, asks for research to be performed to locate records. Further, electronic searches for such a category or categories may initially produce a large volume of unrelated materials, and processing documents produced in an initial search for such a request or requests may take an inordinate amount of limited FOIA processing time. The processing of such a FOIA request is a very a time- and labor-intensive process which requires locating tentatively responsive records; re-searching through these miscellaneous materials to identify material that is actually responsive; reviewing for material that may be exempt from release under the FOIA; coordinating and consulting with components, agencies, and external entities 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. Therefore, we are closing our file on this request.

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. 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 document(s) with, if at all possible, the author and recipient, date, specific subject matter, and content, in order to allow a reasonable search to be completed.

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."

September 14, 2021

J. Ader

411A Highland Avenue

MR96593

Somerville, Massachusetts 02144

requests@muckrock.com<mailto:requests@muckrock.com>

RE: FOIA Request No. 2020-FOIA-06317

Dear Mr./Ms. Ader:

This concerns your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for: "All documents - including memos, briefs, alerts, bulletins, maps, and emails - containing the words "Black House Autonomous Zone", "BHAZ", "autonomous zone" and/or "autonomous" created from June 22nd, 2020 to June 24th, 2020."

Upon review, the description of this request is such that we are not able to perform a reasonable and adequate search for specific documents relative to specific subject matter or other identifying characteristics such as the author and recipient, and content. This FOIA request does not contain an adequate description as it asks for materials with only keywords or phrases being provided in lieu of a subject or particular matter; and, in effect, asks for research to be performed.

The FOIA specifies that a FOIA request must reasonably describe 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." The courts have also found that requests that are so broad and sweeping that they lack specificity are not reasonably described.

This FOIA request asks for all records of a certain type, or by broad category or categories, i.e., "All documents" without limitation and without specific, particularized subject matter and other specifically identifying characteristics pertaining to specific records. As such, it describes (a) broad area(s) of records and, again, lacks specificity as to a particular subject-matter and again, in effect, asks for research to be performed to locate records. Further, electronic searches for such a category or categories may initially produce a large volume of miscellaneous materials, and processing documents produced in an initial search for such a request or requests may take an inordinate amount of limited FOIA processing time. The processing of such a FOIA request is a very a time- and labor-intensive process which requires locating tentatively responsive records; re-searching through these miscellaneous and unrelated materials to attempt to identify material that is actually responsive; reviewing for material that may be exempt from release under the FOIA; coordinating and consulting with components, agencies, and external entities 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. Therefore, we are closing our file on this request.

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. 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 document(s) with, if at all possible, the author and recipient, date, specific subject matter, and content, in order to allow a reasonable search to be completed.

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 J Ader, 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: 2020-FOIA-06317 Description: To Whom It May Concern:Pursuant to the DC Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:All documents - including memos, briefs, alerts, bulletins, maps, and emails - containing the words "Black House Autonomous Zone", "BHAZ", "autonomous zone" and/or "autonomous" created from June 22nd, 2020 to June 24th, 2020.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.Sincerely,J AderUpload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://www.muckrock.com/ Regards,
DC Government FOIA Portal