FOIA - Covert Surveillance Programs, Counterintelligence Operations and Domestic Intelligence Activities (Alameda County Sheriff's Office)

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:

This FOIA request, submitted by Evan L Rees, seeks access to documents related to covert surveillance programs, counterintelligence operations, and domestic intelligence activities conducted by this agency or it's contractors that may be synonymous with or reminiscent of tactics employed in historical programs such as COINTELPRO and MK Ultra. Specifically, this request aims to obtain records pertaining to activities that could be colloquially referred to as "Cointelpro 2.0" or any other covert programs undertaken by the agency involving surveillance, infiltration, disruption, or manipulation of individuals or groups within the United States.

Documents of interest include, but are not limited to:

1. Internal memoranda, directives, and communications discussing the planning, execution, and objectives of such covert operations, including any references to MK Ultra or similar programs.
2. Operational plans, strategies, and guidelines governing the conduct of surveillance and intelligence-gathering activities, including any involvement or coordination with community policing initiatives.
3. Records of surveillance operations, including logs, reports, and warrants obtained for monitoring targeted individuals or groups, including any watch lists or databases used for tracking.
4. Intelligence reports, assessments, and analyses generated as a result of surveillance and infiltration efforts, including any assessments related to private contractors involved in intelligence activities.
5. Training materials, manuals, and protocols used to educate personnel involved in covert operations, including any materials related to community alerts or coordination with neighborhood watch groups.
6. Budgetary documents related to the funding and allocation of resources for covert surveillance and intelligence activities.
7. Legal opinions, guidance, and interpretations concerning the legality and oversight of covert programs.
8. After-action reports, evaluations, and assessments conducted to review the effectiveness and impact of covert operations.

This request also encompasses documents related to activities synonymous with or related to "Cointelpro 2.0," including but not limited to covert surveillance programs, counterintelligence operations, undercover investigations, disruption programs, counterterrorism measures, covert infiltration tactics, political surveillance programs, coercive intelligence operations, and national security investigations.

Please process this request specifically for Evan L Rees, as the documents sought are requested in relation to myself.

I am specifically requesting expedited processing of this request, as the information sought is of timely and significant public interest.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Evan L Rees

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,

Evan L Rees

Subject: Request for PDF Format Delivery of FOIA Documents

Dear Alameda County Record Custodian,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing in response to your notification regarding the availability of the records I requested for FS-Case-14885216.

Firstly, I would like to express my appreciation for your promptness in processing my request. However, I must express my concern regarding the method of document delivery.

While I understand that the documents are accessible via the provided link, requiring me to create an account and log in to retrieve them poses a significant inconvenience. Furthermore, it raises questions about transparency and accessibility, as it may deter individuals from accessing important public records.

As a citizen exercising my rights under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), I believe it is imperative that public agencies prioritize providing requested documents in a format that is easily accessible and widely compatible. In this digital age, PDF format remains one of the most universally accepted and accessible formats for documents. It ensures ease of viewing, sharing, and archiving, without the need for specialized software or accounts.

Therefore, I respectfully request that the documents pertaining to FS-Case-14885216 be provided to me in PDF format directly, rather than requiring me to navigate through additional steps to access them.

I trust that you share my commitment to transparency and accessibility in government processes. Your cooperation in this matter would not only facilitate my access to the requested records but also contribute to upholding the principles of open governance.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response and the timely provision of the documents in PDF format.

Sincerely,
Evan Rees

Good Morning,

Thank you for your continued partnership on this request. Please know that the link forwarded to me on 4/3/2024 does not appear to work. Upon logging in, I receive the attached error message.

Please advise at your earliest convenience.

Thank You,

MuckRock Staff

Subject: Follow-Up Request: Response to Melinda's Inquiry Regarding FOIA Request

Dear Alameda County Sheriff's Office,

I hope this email finds you well. I am reaching out regarding the recent correspondence from Melinda at MuckRock regarding the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request made to your agency.

Melinda, representing MuckRock, has informed us that the link provided on 4/3/2024 appears to be inactive or inaccessible. Despite attempts to access the link, she received an attached error message indicating that the link is not functional.

Given the importance of this request and the need for timely access to public records, I kindly request that you respond directly to Melinda's follow-up inquiry and address any issues preventing access to the requested documents. Providing alternative access or resolving any technical issues promptly would be greatly appreciated.

Please prioritize this matter to ensure that Melinda receives a response and that any necessary actions are taken to facilitate access to the requested records.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your prompt response and resolution of this issue.

Sincerely,

Evan L Rees

Subject: Appeal of Response to California Public Records Act Request #24-118

Dear Cynthia Wilson,

I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to appeal the response provided by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office (ACSO) to my California Public Records Act (CPRA) request, referenced under Request #24-118, received by your office on March 24, 2024.

Upon reviewing your response, I note with concern that the ACSO has indicated a lack of records pertaining to each of the requested categories outlined in my original inquiry. However, it appears that your response does not address the entirety of my request as stipulated in the initial correspondence.

As per the California Government Code Section 7922.535, my request explicitly sought access to documents related to covert surveillance programs, counterintelligence operations, and domestic intelligence activities conducted by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office or its contractors. The scope of my request encompassed records synonymous with historical programs such as COINTELPRO and MK Ultra, including but not limited to, internal memoranda, operational plans, records of surveillance operations, intelligence reports, training materials, budgetary documents, legal opinions, and after-action reports.

Given the nature and significance of the requested records, I find it improbable that the Alameda County Sheriff's Office possesses no responsive documents whatsoever. Therefore, I respectfully request a thorough reevaluation of my request and a diligent search for any records within the custody and control of ACSO that may be responsive to the categories outlined in my initial inquiry.

Furthermore, I emphasize the importance of transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices, particularly regarding activities that may impact civil liberties and constitutional rights. It is imperative that public agencies fulfill their obligations under the CPRA to provide access to government records in the interest of upholding democratic principles and ensuring public trust.

In light of the foregoing, I urge the Alameda County Sheriff's Office to conduct a comprehensive search for responsive records and provide a substantive response to each category outlined in my initial request. Should there be any concerns or challenges in fulfilling this request, I am open to potential solutions to facilitate access to the requested records.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to a prompt and favorable resolution of this appeal.

Sincerely,

Evan L Rees

Subject: Follow-Up: Specific Records Pertaining to Covert Operations

Dear Ms. Guzman,

I trust this message finds you well. Following our recent conversation regarding the importance of transparency and accountability in law enforcement operations, I wanted to provide further clarification and context regarding my request for specific records pertaining to covert operations within the Alameda County Sheriff's Department.

As we discussed, recent developments in public discourse have highlighted the need for law enforcement agencies to ensure openness and integrity in their practices, particularly concerning surveillance and intelligence-gathering activities. In this regard, accessing historical records of covert operations can provide invaluable insights into past practices, facilitate a better understanding of evolving methodologies, and inform future policy decisions.

In light of this, I am submitting a highly specific request under the California Public Records Act for access to records related to covert surveillance programs, counterintelligence operations, and domestic intelligence activities conducted by the Alameda County Sheriff's Department or its affiliates. I believe that a thorough examination of such records could not only enhance transparency but also contribute to building public trust and confidence in the department's operations.

Below is a revised list of documents and records that I am specifically requesting, based on our conversation and the feedback received:

1. Internal memoranda, directives, and communications discussing the planning, execution, and objectives of covert operations.
2. Operational plans, guidelines, and protocols governing the conduct of surveillance and intelligence-gathering activities, including any coordination with external agencies.
3. Records of surveillance operations, including logs, reports, and warrants obtained for monitoring targeted individuals or groups.
4. Intelligence reports, assessments, and analyses resulting from surveillance and infiltration efforts, including assessments related to private contractors involved.
5. Training materials, manuals, and protocols used to educate personnel involved in covert operations, including any materials related to community alerts or coordination with neighborhood watch groups.
6. Budgetary documents related to the funding and allocation of resources for covert surveillance and intelligence activities.
7. Legal opinions, guidance, and interpretations concerning the legality and oversight of covert programs.
8. After-action reports, evaluations, and assessments conducted to review the effectiveness and impact of covert operations.

*** The request time frame is 1/1/2006 to 4/27/2024.

I would like to reiterate that this request is made in good faith and with the utmost respect for the work of the Alameda County Sheriff's Department. My intention is not to impugn the integrity of the department but rather to promote transparency, accountability, and the safeguarding of civil liberties.

I am committed to working collaboratively with you and your team to ensure that this request is processed in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, and privacy considerations. Additionally, I am available to provide any further clarification or assistance as needed.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to your prompt response and cooperation.

Warm regards,

Evan L Rees