June 14, 2021
To: Connor Anderson
Records Access Officer
Massachusetts State Police
From: Wheeler Cowperthwaite
Reporter
Patriot Ledger
2 Adams Place
Quincy, MA
This is a formal request under the Massachusetts Public Records Law. I wish to inspect the following, in their native electronic format if possible:
1. All complaints received about political and/or obscene signs since Jan. 1, 2019.
2. All citations, warnings and other documents issued for purported violations of Plymouth's sign ordinances since Jan. 1, 2019.
I formally request a fee waiver because the disclosure of these documents is in the public interest.
I prefer to receive further communication on this matter electronically.
I prefer to receive records in their native electronic format, and would be happy to provide a computer disk (CD) or USB drive for copying.
If records can be e-mailed, please forward them to wcowperthwaite@patriotledger.com.
Please contact me with any questions or to schedule an appointment when the documents are available for inspection or copying. My telephone number is 617-786-7320.
Sincerely,
Wheeler Cowperthwaite
Attached are all complaints we have received relative to your records request.
Please be advised, however, that the Massachusetts Public Records Law authorizes withholding of “investigatory materials necessarily compiled out of the public view by law enforcement or other investigatory officials the disclosure of which materials would probably so prejudice the possibility of effective law enforcement that such disclosure would not be in the public interest” G.L. c.4, §7(26)(f). The records have been produced absent minor redactions of information that would identify a voluntary witness/complainant who came forward with respect to the underlying investigation at issue regarding an enforcement matter under investigation by Zoning and Inspectional Services officials. In addition to pertaining to ongoing investigations, exemption (f) has also been held to allow investigative officials, in this case Town officials, to provide an assurance of confidentiality to persons so that they will speak openly about matters under investigation. Bougas v. Chief of Police of Lexington, 371 Mass. 59, 62 (1960). For that reason, in this instance, the names, addresses and identifying details of voluntary witnesses or complainants may therefore be withheld from disclosure permanently. Reinstein v. Police Commissioner of Boston, 378 Mass.281, 290 (1979). These redactions have been made to the record only where necessary and no whole pages have been redacted.
Please be advised however, that the Massachusetts Public Records Law authorizes withholding of “personnel and medical files or information; also any other materials or data relating to a specifically named individual, the disclosure of which may constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.” G.L. c. 4, § 7(26)(c). The Town has redacted phone numbers of persons issued violation notices because its disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy not outweighed by the public’s interest in disclosure of the material. These redactions have been made to the record only where necessary and no whole pages have been redacted.
Request Date
2021-06-15
Agency Tracking
2021-1505
Acquisition Notes
This record was automatically imported from https://www.townforms.com/FOIADirect-PlymouthMACitizens/
June 14, 2021
To: Connor Anderson
Records Access Officer
Massachusetts State Police
From: Wheeler Cowperthwaite
Reporter
Patriot Ledger
2 Adams Place
Quincy, MA
This is a formal request under the Massachusetts Public Records Law. I wish to inspect the following, in their native electronic format if possible:
1. All complaints received about political and/or obscene signs since Jan. 1, 2019.
2. All citations, warnings and other documents issued for purported violations of Plymouth's sign ordinances since Jan. 1, 2019.
I formally request a fee waiver because the disclosure of these documents is in the public interest.
I prefer to receive further communication on this matter electronically.
I prefer to receive records in their native electronic format, and would be happy to provide a computer disk (CD) or USB drive for copying.
If records can be e-mailed, please forward them to wcowperthwaite@patriotledger.com.
Please contact me with any questions or to schedule an appointment when the documents are available for inspection or copying. My telephone number is 617-786-7320.
Sincerely,
Wheeler Cowperthwaite
Attached are all complaints we have received relative to your records request.
Please be advised, however, that the Massachusetts Public Records Law authorizes withholding of “investigatory materials necessarily compiled out of the public view by law enforcement or other investigatory officials the disclosure of which materials would probably so prejudice the possibility of effective law enforcement that such disclosure would not be in the public interest” G.L. c.4, §7(26)(f). The records have been produced absent minor redactions of information that would identify a voluntary witness/complainant who came forward with respect to the underlying investigation at issue regarding an enforcement matter under investigation by Zoning and Inspectional Services officials. In addition to pertaining to ongoing investigations, exemption (f) has also been held to allow investigative officials, in this case Town officials, to provide an assurance of confidentiality to persons so that they will speak openly about matters under investigation. Bougas v. Chief of Police of Lexington, 371 Mass. 59, 62 (1960). For that reason, in this instance, the names, addresses and identifying details of voluntary witnesses or complainants may therefore be withheld from disclosure permanently. Reinstein v. Police Commissioner of Boston, 378 Mass.281, 290 (1979). These redactions have been made to the record only where necessary and no whole pages have been redacted.
Please be advised however, that the Massachusetts Public Records Law authorizes withholding of “personnel and medical files or information; also any other materials or data relating to a specifically named individual, the disclosure of which may constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.” G.L. c. 4, § 7(26)(c). The Town has redacted phone numbers of persons issued violation notices because its disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy not outweighed by the public’s interest in disclosure of the material. These redactions have been made to the record only where necessary and no whole pages have been redacted.
Request Date
2021-06-15
Agency Tracking
2021-1505
Acquisition Notes
This record was automatically imported from https://www.townforms.com/FOIADirect-PlymouthMACitizens/