Automatic vehicle location database (Washington State Patrol)
| Tracking # |
PD-13-1055-0241 |
| Submitted | July 10, 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:
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: Washington State Patrol
Mr. Mocek,
Thank you for your inquiry to the Washington State Patrol. Pursuant to RCW 42.56.520, this is notification that we have received your public disclosure request (below). We anticipate it may take up to 45 days from the date of this notification to provide a proper response. Additional time is required due to the current volume of pending records requests, and to research this request, collect responsive records, notify involved parties, and/or prepare records for dissemination.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me in reference to PD-13-1055-0241.
From: Washington State Patrol
Dear Mr. Mocek,
Pursuant to RCW 42.56.520, we request clarification on the portion of your request for “automatic vehicle location (AVL) data in its native electronic format”. (See also RCW 42.56.080, & O’Neill v. City of Shoreline, 145 Wn. App. 913, 926 (2008)).
Are you requesting the database that collects GPS data on trooper’s patrol vehicles? Or are you requesting the database that reads license plates at the Washington State Ferry Terminals?
Once we have received clarification, we will be able to process your request.
If you have any questions or need further assistance with this request, please contact me, in reference to PD-13-1055-0241.
From: Phil Mocek
RE: my public records request of July 10, 2013 (your identifier: PD-13-1055-0241)
Dear Sir or Madam:
At this time, I am requesting automatic vehicle location (AVL) data, not automatic license plate reader (ALPR or ANPR) data.
Cordially,
Phil Mocek
From: Washington State Patrol
Thank you for the clarification. We are proceeding with your request.
From: Washington State Patrol
Dear Mr. Mocek,
The Washington State Patrol is continuing to work on your public disclosure request for:
"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, we request clarification regarding your request.
First, the WSP can produce the AVL data as Excel spreadsheets. The Excel spreadsheets would include field names to identify the types of data such as date, time, address, longitude, and latitude. The AVL database's native format is Microsoft SQL. Please clarify if it is satisfactory for us to produce the AVL data as Excel spreadsheets or if you would prefer the AVL database produced in its native format as a Microsoft SQL file. Before producing the Microsoft SQL format, we would need to provide Motorola 15 days' notice of your request.
Second, the GPS data may also contain residential information for WSP officers. Please clarify if it is satisfactory for us to remove this information from the records before production.
Third, we are interpreting your request for "database schema" as the field names for the AVL data. We ask that you confirm that this interpretation of your request is correct.
Once we have received clarification on the above three items, we will be able to continue processing your request. If you have any questions, please contact me in reference to PD-13-1055-0241.
From: Phil Mocek
RE: my public records request of July 10, 2013 (your identifier: PD-13-1055-0241)
Dear Sir or Madam:
I would prefer to receive the data in native format, directly from Microsoft SQL Server. If options to either dump it as plain text SQL or as an MSSQL proprietary binary format exist, the former is preferable.
Please explain what was meant by "residential information for WSP officers".
A "database schema" is a formal description of the structure of the database. The [Wikipedia article "Database schema"][1] is informative on this topic.
[1]: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database_schema>
Cordially,
Phil Mocek
From: Washington State Patrol
Dear Mr. Mocek,
WSP officers take their patrol vehicles to their residences. The AVL data may contain the approximate GPS coordinates or approximate address for a WSP officer’s residence. Please clarify if it is satisfactory for us to remove the approximate GPS coordinates and approximate residential address for the WSP officers’ residence.
From: Phil Mocek
RE: my public records request of July 10, 2013 (your identifier: PD-13-1055-0241)
Dear Sir or Madam:
Please do not remove from these public records any of the historical locations of publicly-owned vehicles recorded by the equipment in those vehicles.
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 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 # PD-13-1055-0241.
Thank you for your help.
From: Washington State Patrol
Dear Mr. Mocek,
Thank you for your inquiry. The WSP is able to produce a copy of the AVL database as a plain text SQL. Since this record may contain Motorola’s proprietary information, the WSP is providing Motorola notice of your request, pursuant to RCW 42.56.540 and fifteen days to obtain an order enjoining disclosure.
Based on the information you provided in your August 8, 2013, email, the WSP understands your request for “database schema” as a request for a formal description of the structure of the database that is generally stored in a data dictionary as text database language, or a graphical depiction of the database. The WSP does not have a data dictionary or graphical depiction of the AVL database.
Additionally, since the AVL database includes residential data for WSP officers, the WSP has provided the affected officers notice of your request and 21 days to obtain an order enjoining disclosure.
Pursuant to RCW 42.56.520 and 42.56.540, this is notification that we anticipate it may take up to 25 days from the date of this notification to provide a proper response.
From: Washington State Patrol
A fix is required to perfect the requesfix is required to perfect the request.
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Fix Required
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 # PD-13-1055-0241.
Thank you for your help.
From: Washington State Patrol
A fix is required to perfect the requesfix is required to perfect the request.
From: Washington State Patrol
Mr. Mocek,
The WSP has received the attached pleadings and temporary restraining order related to your records request. The temporary restraining order provides:
The State of Washington/Washington State Patrol is directed to withhold the GPS coordinates from which WSP employee’s home addresses can be readily determined.
The coordinates related to the home address will include a 100 yard radius of the actual home address so as to ensure the inclusion of employees who park in driveways, unattached garages, the street and/or apartment complex parking lots.
The GPS data that is collected during the first and last thirty (30) minutes of the employees’ shifts is to be withheld unless there is a status change (indicating the employee is no longer merely traveling to or from home).
The next hearing on this issue is scheduled for December 5, 2013 at the Snohomish County Superior Court. Response to your records request will be extended until December 5, 2013, pursuant to RCW 42.56.540.
From: Washington State Patrol
An interim response, stating the request is being processed.
From: Phil Mocek
RE: my public records request of July 10, 2013 (your identifier: PD-13-1055-0241)
Dear Sir or Madam:
I withdraw my request. My attorney, Cleveland Stockmeyer, has repeatedly attempted to reach you by telephone to discuss the possibility of finding a mutually-agreeable amendment to my request, but has been unsuccessful in that attempt.
Cordially,
Phil Mocek
From:
Mr. Mocek,
The Washington State Patrol has received your below email withdrawing your records request. Your records request pertaining to the AVL database has now been closed, per your request.
This communication completes our response to PD-13-1055-0241.
Sincerely,
Gretchen Dolan
Washington State Patrol
Public Records Officer
PO Box 42631
Olympia WA 98504
w/(360)596-4137 ext. 11137
f/(360)596-4153
The Washington State Patrol makes a difference every day, enhancing the safety and security of our state by providing the best in public safety services.
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