Question about request: Anonymized License Plate Recognition Records

Asked by B.T. on August 5, 2013.

3 answers from Tom Nash, Shawn Musgrave and Miss Monika.

B.T. sent this request to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department of Los Angeles County, CA

B.T. 08/05/2013

Any suggestions on how to proceed here? I’ve read all the cited sections, and I can only come to the conclusion that their claim is that this is “intelligence information”. None of the other categories (complaints, investigations, security procedures) seem to apply.

My original claim was that this is not “intelligence information”, as this vast majority of this information is not “related to criminal activity”.

From 6254(f)(b)(2): “Intelligence information is related to criminal activity but is not focused on a concrete prospect of enforcement.”

Files on gang members would be an example of “intelligence information”. My claim is that this is not related to criminal activity (it’s just the locations of automobiles, 99.9% of them being lawfully licensed, operated, parked, etc.). If I make the same request, I expect the same response. Is there anything I should do, other than appeal the decision? Anything else worth pointing out?

Thanks, -Brad T.

Tom Nash 08/12/2013

Hi Brad,

It does seem like a broad interpretation, and that to me makes it seem worth appealing. It would be interesting to see if their use of this holds up.

Thanks

Tom

Miss Monika 09/05/2013

Were you submitting FOIA request? If so, what specifically?

Shawn Musgrave 09/06/2013

I would absolutely appeal this request – a number of localities have released ALPR data, and this one would be huge!