Dear Jordan Lassiter: This is to acknowledge your public records request was received on 5/9/2024 and given reference number P239926-050924 for tracking purposes. Records Requested: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Attention: Public Information Officer
P.O. Box 3371
Tampa, FL 33601

Subject: Freedom of Information Act Request for Body Camera Footage and Related Communications

Dear Public Information Officer,

I am writing as a freelance journalist under the provisions of the Florida Sunshine Law and the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552), seeking access to records related to the law enforcement response at the University of South Florida during the protest on May 1, 2024. This event, part of the Free Palestine and Resistance Movement against Israeli aggression, is referenced in your press release titled "HCSO Assists USF Police Department Following Unsanctioned Protest."

Requested Records:

Digital Documents:
Body Camera Footage: Complete recordings from body-worn cameras of all officers engaged from the beginning to the end of their deployment at the protest. Legal support: ACLU v. Alvarez, 679 F.3d 583 (7th Cir. 2012) affirms the public’s right to record public officials in public settings, which supports the disclosure of body camera footage.
Radio Transmissions: All audio recordings and transcripts of radio communications involving law enforcement personnel during the protest. Legal support: Scott v. United States, 436 U.S. 128 (1978) indicates the public interest in accessing law enforcement communications for transparency.
Text Communications: All SMS and instant messages sent to and from officers concerning the enforcement activities at the protest. Legal support: Judicial Watch, Inc. v. U.S. Department of Commerce, 34 F. Supp. 2d 28 (D.D.C. 1998) supports the release of communications to ensure transparency in governmental operations.
Aerial Footage: All video recordings from helicopters, drones, or any other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used during the protest. Legal support: Electronic Frontier Foundation v. Department of Transportation, 2015 (finding that aerial surveillance footage is subject to disclosure under FOIA to allow public analysis of governmental surveillance practices).
Physical Documents:
Incident Reports and Briefings: All written reports, memos, and briefing documents pertaining to the law enforcement activities during the protest. Legal support: Department of Justice v. Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, 489 U.S. 749 (1989) supports the disclosure of law enforcement records for public scrutiny.
Operational Plans: Documents detailing the strategies and guidelines used for managing the protest. Legal support: NLRB v. Robbins Tire & Rubber Co., 437 U.S. 214 (1978) demonstrates the public's right to understand the strategic operations of public authorities.
Legal Precedents and Public Interest Justification:

The requested information is of significant public interest, particularly concerning government operations at public protests and the specific enforcement tactics employed against movements advocating for international human rights and resistance against oppression. The release of these records will enhance public understanding and facilitate informed community oversight.

Fees and Document Delivery:

Please inform me of any potential fees associated with the processing of this request. I request a waiver of all fees as this disclosure is primarily in the public interest, contributing substantially to the understanding of government operations and is not for commercial purposes. I prefer to receive the documents electronically, via email or on a CD-ROM if electronic transfer is impractical.

Response Time and Contact:

I anticipate your response within the statutory timeframe prescribed by law. Should you require any clarification or have questions regarding this request, please do not hesitate to contact me at the provided phone number or email address.

Thank you for your attention and cooperation. I look forward to your prompt and thorough handling of this request, as dictated by applicable laws and regulations.

Sincerely,

Jordan Lassiter

Attachments:

https://cdn.muckrock.com/outbound_composer_attachments/TheJ/132187/Fee_Waiver_Letter_copy_1.pdf
Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/ Your request will be forwarded to the relevant department(s) to locate the information you seek and to determine the volume and any costs associated with satisfying your request. You will be contacted about the availability and/or provided with copies of the records in question. You can monitor the progress of your request at the link below and you will receive an email when your request has been completed. Again, thank you for using the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Public Records Website.

Attachments:
INV24-P239926-1.pdf (https://u8387778.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.VEsWrlMiJDg0mXafq1mEXbVlFfFxdIgZ8p8PThfqJ-2BL686Pc2KMwg6KmwRkDsHPNY0VjfFIEP7ampk2qZRjw0wGRtQAU-2FBfHuBXWp2G3oJ985mSVR8mksDC8lK2T0maYZ5acSq1BkSNuF226MS2alK3VjTUUh3A021PQjeI0hRvMZH09sQUK3wen2TncPhhdb5Ri-2B1f81eGENRyeHYalS8AOEMnIMIFZZEL5mCXbSQ8zO1-2FhIDxav9m4Wq44bGNn7f70cxdwwYREc8Vf6ezPBRSsCKkQF7LhsVdqky1ucrXDI20eyasxa7D3moPjbqZeGAqyo03pSJ4oPCc396p-2BwD8qtf-2FHsqPtn1a-2BNZHIQdepJT9Mter1usxMQF1-2BlDgxSsCdkCjbHR5UuQbiHm-2FFEmcZ-2Fg9-2Fm5YgjTtxeqT4NB7hJemErStMoqn2gwjDyftQVeuTC5ZazwoSySguLSKa8MijEKqvUDQCZWoJH50dcFmU-2FSMzgQf5OVXqj-2F8EiSIbJ8KFCMo8SL-2FpN6likQOCKVxiHcrBSYXlqib-2FoAX6Objb2Q1vBNTHeyLa7ET7jB0TaZj-2BDBPWdfGgJqllMRY2iA-3D-3D2YPy_Kh6RKSwhza-2F-2FneXLA8sTGVoFQ7YaenfqWsKQwF8fKmtKnz4ntg7sk0dJOiYylnk3-2FuxhT6ZKfWnNsczr7fJuZSPOMLsWN0gTfureAczy-2F9QTWClatrgaBXhg91HtQ3IENriApawYz9BqpomfN0th3edaGz0ozjjoCKkFYEMsPheJXytN4tsqXzCSsy6eQhYSdkfq49F3Ww2xvOWe7ZtEo6B1TY-2Fxs41cXOPsggAOAL7hW7YIkyZ6qeTidGumrUvJgy5MGu9OBgGn68gj34VLEgve5o9h7blVKgsp07rn6qQuQD-2Fp1VxThX-2Btx6QA-2Fx51gLoYc6peci1pnzLkOboA29x5-2FmOljygVtR8EEmHi1ZjagweN4lCLchcc1LNr4nOUX8XPgTGHkgJ8UT3qCDbF4A-3D-3D)

Dear Jordan Lassiter,
Your invoice is ready. Please login to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Public Records Center to make an online payment. Reference Number: P239926-050924 Request Details:
Description of records requested: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Attention: Public Information Officer
P.O. Box 3371
Tampa, FL 33601

Subject: Freedom of Information Act Request for Body Camera Footage and Related Communications

Dear Public Information Officer,

I am writing as a freelance journalist under the provisions of the Florida Sunshine Law and the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552), seeking access to records related to the law enforcement response at the University of South Florida during the protest on May 1, 2024. This event, part of the Free Palestine and Resistance Movement against Israeli aggression, is referenced in your press release titled "HCSO Assists USF Police Department Following Unsanctioned Protest."

Requested Records:

Digital Documents:
Body Camera Footage: Complete recordings from body-worn cameras of all officers engaged from the beginning to the end of their deployment at the protest. Legal support: ACLU v. Alvarez, 679 F.3d 583 (7th Cir. 2012) affirms the public’s right to record public officials in public settings, which supports the disclosure of body camera footage.
Radio Transmissions: All audio recordings and transcripts of radio communications involving law enforcement personnel during the protest. Legal support: Scott v. United States, 436 U.S. 128 (1978) indicates the public interest in accessing law enforcement communications for transparency.
Text Communications: All SMS and instant messages sent to and from officers concerning the enforcement activities at the protest. Legal support: Judicial Watch, Inc. v. U.S. Department of Commerce, 34 F. Supp. 2d 28 (D.D.C. 1998) supports the release of communications to ensure transparency in governmental operations.
Aerial Footage: All video recordings from helicopters, drones, or any other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used during the protest. Legal support: Electronic Frontier Foundation v. Department of Transportation, 2015 (finding that aerial surveillance footage is subject to disclosure under FOIA to allow public analysis of governmental surveillance practices).
Physical Documents:
Incident Reports and Briefings: All written reports, memos, and briefing documents pertaining to the law enforcement activities during the protest. Legal support: Department of Justice v. Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, 489 U.S. 749 (1989) supports the disclosure of law enforcement records for public scrutiny.
Operational Plans: Documents detailing the strategies and guidelines used for managing the protest. Legal support: NLRB v. Robbins Tire & Rubber Co., 437 U.S. 214 (1978) demonstrates the public's right to understand the strategic operations of public authorities.
Legal Precedents and Public Interest Justification:

The requested information is of significant public interest, particularly concerning government operations at public protests and the specific enforcement tactics employed against movements advocating for international human rights and resistance against oppression. The release of these records will enhance public understanding and facilitate informed community oversight.

Fees and Document Delivery:

Please inform me of any potential fees associated with the processing of this request. I request a waiver of all fees as this disclosure is primarily in the public interest, contributing substantially to the understanding of government operations and is not for commercial purposes. I prefer to receive the documents electronically, via email or on a CD-ROM if electronic transfer is impractical.

Response Time and Contact:

I anticipate your response within the statutory timeframe prescribed by law. Should you require any clarification or have questions regarding this request, please do not hesitate to contact me at the provided phone number or email address.

Thank you for your attention and cooperation. I look forward to your prompt and thorough handling of this request, as dictated by applicable laws and regulations.

Sincerely,

Jordan Lassiter

Attachments:

https://cdn.muckrock.com/outbound_composer_attachments/TheJ/132187/Fee_Waiver_Letter_copy_1.pdf
Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
Requested on: May 09, 2024
Status of Request:  In Progress

If the invoice is for an estimate, upon receipt of deposit we will begin working on gathering documents responsive to your request. Once we have gathered the documents, a final invoice of the remaining balance owed will be sent to you.
This amount may change from the estimate depending on how much time and labor is actually spent on your request.
If the attached invoice is for final payment, we will contact you once your request is fulfilled and the documents are available for you online at the Public Records Request Center.  Full Payment is required before we release the records to you.

You can also make a check or money order payable to: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Attention: Records Section / Freddie Solomon Annex
P.O Box 3371
Tampa, Florida 33601
If you have any questions in regards to this request, please feel free to contact my office at 813-247-0934.
Sincerely,
Zachary Leon
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Public Records Unit