Buffalo, NY Police: Social media settings and hidden Facebook comments

Re: FOIL Request (Records Related to BPD Facebook)

The City of Buffalo Police Department is in receipt of your Freedom of
Information Law request. Please allow this letter to serve as an
acknowledgment of your request pursuant to New York State Public Officer’s
Law, Section 89, entitled Freedom of Information Law.

Please be advised that your request is being processed by the Police
Department. BPD will then conduct a diligent search to determine whether we
are in possession of the record for which you seek access. Due to the large
number of requests the department is currently handling, please allow (30)
business days for a determination regarding your request for records.

Please be advised also that access to Public Officers Law, 87(1)(b), the
costs for redacted and/ or copied material emailed or mailed is $0.25 per
page not in the access of 9”x14”, any street surveillance is $43.00 per
disk and any redacted body cam footage starts at $42.68.

Respectfully,
FOIL Division
HQ

127310-37326947@r
equests.muckrock.
com To
Foil@bpdny.org
04/06/2022 10:57 cc
PM
Subject
New York Freedom of Information Law
Request: Buffalo, NY Police: Social
media settings and hidden Facebook
comments

Buffalo Police Department
FOIL Office
74 Franklin Street
Buffalo, NY 14202

April 6, 2022

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law, I hereby request the
following records:

This request seeks records relating to the Facebook page located at
https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloPoliceDepartment. An example of what each
of these records look like is attached and available at
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21579793-facebook-and-twitter-settings-examples
.

I request:

1. A copy of the full settings for the Facebook page. These records may be
accessed through one of three processes:
The first option:
(a) Log in as an administrator of the page.
(b) Navigate to the Facebook page (i.e.,
https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloPoliceDepartment).
(c) On the lefthand side of the page, where it says "Manage Page," scroll
to "Settings," located at the lefthand side of the bottom of the page.
(d) Click "General" on the lefthand side of the page.

The second option:
(a) Log in as an administrator of the page.
(b) Go to
https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloPoliceDepartment/settings/?tab=settings.

The third option:
(a) Log in as an administrator of the page.
(b) Navigate to the Facebook page (i.e.,
https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloPoliceDepartment).
(c) Go to this URL:
https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloPoliceDepartment/settings/?tab=settings&ref=page_edit&section=download_your_page

(d) Click "Download your page"
(e) Select "HTML," "High," and "All time" in the available options.
(f) Make sure only the "Page profile information" and "Page settings" boxes
are checked.
(g) Click "Request a download."
(h) When the information is ready to download, enter the password to
download it.
(i) Press "confirm."
(j) Provide the files contained in the .zip file.

2. A copy of the list of banned people and pages. This record may be
accessed in this manner:
(a) Log in as an administrator of the page.
(b) Navigate to the Facebook page (i.e.,
https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloPoliceDepartment).
(c) On the lefthand side of the page, where it says "Manage Page," scroll
to "Settings," located at the lefthand side of the bottom of the page.
(d) Click "People and other Pages" on the lefthand side of the page.
(e) On the menu labeled "People who Like this Page," select "Banned People
and Pages"

3. A copy of the list of "Page Roles." This record may be accessed in this
manner:
(a) Log in as an administrator of the page.
(b) Navigate to the Facebook page (i.e.,
https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloPoliceDepartment).
(c) On the lefthand side of the page, where it says "Manage Page," scroll
to "Settings," located at the lefthand side of the bottom of the page.
(d) Click "Page Roles" on the lefthand side of the page.

4. For each of the "THREADS" identified below, a copy of any hidden
comments, with all comments expanded, as visible when logged in as the
page. The records of the hidden comments on the full thread may be accessed
through this process:
(a) Log in as an administrator of the page.
(b) Navigate to the url of the thread.
(c) Make sure you are interacting with the page as the page: Click the
down-pointing arrow next to the user icon (located near the top of the
thread, to the right of the "Like," "Comment," and "Share" buttons) and, on
the "Choose How to Interact" menu, select the name of the page.
(d) Click "Most Relevant" (or "Newest" or "All Comments" or "Hidden by This
Page") and, on the menu, select "Hidden by This Page".
(e) Make sure the thread is fully expanded: Scroll through the comments and
click the links reading "1 reply," "replies," or "View more comments" to
expand the thread.

For purposes of this request, "THREADS" means and refers to the posts
located at:
(a)
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1761751643965225&id=212316725575399

(b)
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1763683200438736&id=212316725575399

(c)
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1769330653207324&id=212316725575399

5. A copy of the lists of users blocked by the @BPDAlerts account. This
list can be obtained through this process:
(a) Log into the account.
(b) Visit this URL: https://twitter.com/settings/blocked/all
(c) Visit this URL: https://twitter.com/settings/blocked/imported

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 5 business
days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Adam Steinbaugh

View request history, see one related attachment, upload responsive
documents, and report problems here:
https://www.muckrock.com/

If prompted for a passcode, please enter:
••••••••

Attachments:
• Facebook_and_Twitter_Settings_Examples.pdf

Filed via MuckRock.com
E-mail (Preferred): requests@muckrock.com

For mailed responses, please address (see note):
MuckRock News
DEPT MR 127310
411A Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02144-2516

PLEASE NOTE: This request is not filed by a MuckRock staff member, but is
being sent through MuckRock by the above in order to better track, share,
and manage public records requests. Also note that improperly addressed
(i.e., with the requester?x27;s name rather than "MuckRock News" and the
department number) requests might be returned as undeliverable.

(See attached file: Facebook_and_Twitter_Settings_Examples.pdf)(Embedded
image moved to file: pic06483.gif)

Re: FOIL Request: (Records Related to BPD Facebook)

The City of Buffalo Police Department (BPD) is in receipt of your Freedom
of Information Law request. Please allow this letter to serve as an
acknowledgment of your request pursuant to New York State Public Officer’s
Law, Section 89, entitled Freedom of Information Law.

The BPD has diligently and exhaustively researched your request for
information pertaining to above mentioned. Please be advised that FOIL
applies to requests for records, rather than information. Moreover, FOIL
does not require an agency to create a new record in response to a request.
Your request asks BPD to create new records that it doesn’t currently
maintain. As such, BPD is unable to respond to your request.

Please be advised that you have the right to appeal any denial contained
herein in writing within thirty (30) days. Appeals must be directed to
Corporation Counsel, City of Buffalo Law Department, 1100 City Hall,
Buffalo NY 14202.

Respectfully,
FOIL Division
HQ

127310-37326947@r
equests.muckrock.
com To
Foil@bpdny.org
05/11/2022 01:00 cc
AM
Subject
RE: New York Freedom of Information
Law Request: Buffalo, NY Police:
Social media settings and hidden
Facebook comments

Buffalo Police Department
FOIL Office
74 Franklin Street
Buffalo, NY 14202

May 11, 2022

This is a follow up to a previous request:

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following New York Freedom of Information Law
request, copied below, and originally submitted on April 6, 2022. Please
let me know when I can expect to receive a response.

Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.

View request history, upload responsive documents, and report problems
here:
https://www.muckrock.com/

If prompted for a passcode, please enter:
••••••••

Filed via MuckRock.com
E-mail (Preferred): requests@muckrock.com

PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESS
For mailed responses, please address (see note):
MuckRock News
DEPT MR 127310
263 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02115

PLEASE NOTE: This request is not filed by a MuckRock staff member, but is
being sent through MuckRock by the above in order to better track, share,
and manage public records requests. Also note that improperly addressed
(i.e., with the requester?x27;s name rather than "MuckRock News" and the
department number) requests might be returned as undeliverable.

---

On April 11, 2022:
Subject: Re: New York Freedom of Information Law Request: Buffalo, NY
Police: Social media settings and hidden Facebook comments
Re: FOIL Request (Records Related to BPD Facebook)

The City of Buffalo Police Department is in receipt of your Freedom of
Information Law request. Please allow this letter to serve as an
acknowledgment of your request pursuant to New York State Public Officer’s
Law, Section 89, entitled Freedom of Information Law.

Please be advised that your request is being processed by the Police
Department. BPD will then conduct a diligent search to determine whether we
are in possession of the record for which you seek access. Due to the large
number of requests the department is currently handling, please allow (30)
business days for a determination regarding your request for records.

Please be advised also that access to Public Officers Law, 87(1)(b), the
costs for redacted and/ or copied material emailed or mailed is $0.25 per
page not in the access of 9”x14”, any street surveillance is $43.00 per
disk and any redacted body cam footage starts at $42.68.

Respectfully,
FOIL Division
HQ

127310-37326947@r
equests.muckrock.
com To
Foil@bpdny.org
04/06/2022 10:57 cc
PM
Subject
New York Freedom of Information Law
Request: Buffalo, NY Police: Social
media settings and hidden Facebook
comments

Buffalo Police Department
FOIL Office
74 Franklin Street
Buffalo, NY 14202

April 6, 2022

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law, I hereby request the
following records:

This request seeks records relating to the Facebook page located at
https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloPoliceDepartment. An example of what each
of these records look like is attached and available at
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21579793-facebook-and-twitter-settings-examples

.

I request:

1. A copy of the full settings for the Facebook page. These records may be
accessed through one of three processes:
The first option:
(a) Log in as an administrator of the page.
(b) Navigate to the Facebook page (i.e.,
https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloPoliceDepartment).
(c) On the lefthand side of the page, where it says "Manage Page," scroll
to "Settings," located at the lefthand side of the bottom of the page.
(d) Click "General" on the lefthand side of the page.

The second option:
(a) Log in as an administrator of the page.
(b) Go to
https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloPoliceDepartment/settings/?tab=settings.

The third option:
(a) Log in as an administrator of the page.
(b) Navigate to the Facebook page (i.e.,
https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloPoliceDepartment).
(c) Go to this URL:
https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloPoliceDepartment/settings/?tab=settings&ref=page_edit&section=download_your_page

(d) Click "Download your page"
(e) Select "HTML," "High," and "All time" in the available options.
(f) Make sure only the "Page profile information" and "Page settings" boxes
are checked.
(g) Click "Request a download."
(h) When the information is ready to download, enter the password to
download it.
(i) Press "confirm."
(j) Provide the files contained in the .zip file.

2. A copy of the list of banned people and pages. This record may be
accessed in this manner:
(a) Log in as an administrator of the page.
(b) Navigate to the Facebook page (i.e.,
https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloPoliceDepartment).
(c) On the lefthand side of the page, where it says "Manage Page," scroll
to "Settings," located at the lefthand side of the bottom of the page.
(d) Click "People and other Pages" on the lefthand side of the page.
(e) On the menu labeled "People who Like this Page," select "Banned People
and Pages"

3. A copy of the list of "Page Roles." This record may be accessed in this
manner:
(a) Log in as an administrator of the page.
(b) Navigate to the Facebook page (i.e.,
https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloPoliceDepartment).
(c) On the lefthand side of the page, where it says "Manage Page," scroll
to "Settings," located at the lefthand side of the bottom of the page.
(d) Click "Page Roles" on the lefthand side of the page.

4. For each of the "THREADS" identified below, a copy of any hidden
comments, with all comments expanded, as visible when logged in as the
page. The records of the hidden comments on the full thread may be accessed
through this process:
(a) Log in as an administrator of the page.
(b) Navigate to the url of the thread.
(c) Make sure you are interacting with the page as the page: Click the
down-pointing arrow next to the user icon (located near the top of the
thread, to the right of the "Like," "Comment," and "Share" buttons) and, on
the "Choose How to Interact" menu, select the name of the page.
(d) Click "Most Relevant" (or "Newest" or "All Comments" or "Hidden by This
Page") and, on the menu, select "Hidden by This Page".
(e) Make sure the thread is fully expanded: Scroll through the comments and
click the links reading "1 reply," "replies," or "View more comments" to
expand the thread.

For purposes of this request, "THREADS" means and refers to the posts
located at:
(a)
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1761751643965225&id=212316725575399

(b)
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1763683200438736&id=212316725575399

(c)
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1769330653207324&id=212316725575399

5. A copy of the lists of users blocked by the @BPDAlerts account. This
list can be obtained through this process:
(a) Log into the account.
(b) Visit this URL: https://twitter.com/settings/blocked/all
(c) Visit this URL: https://twitter.com/settings/blocked/imported

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 5 business
days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Adam Steinbaugh

View request history, see one related attachment, upload responsive
documents, and report problems here:
https://www.muckrock.com/

If prompted for a passcode, please enter:
••••••••

Attachments:
• Facebook_and_Twitter_Settings_Examples.pdf

Filed via MuckRock.com
E-mail (Preferred): requests@muckrock.com

For mailed responses, please address (see note):
MuckRock News
DEPT MR 127310
411A Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02144-2516

PLEASE NOTE: This request is not filed by a MuckRock staff member, but is
being sent through MuckRock by the above in order to better track, share,
and manage public records requests. Also note that improperly addressed
(i.e., with the requester?x27;s name rather than "MuckRock News" and the
department number) requests might be returned as undeliverable.

(See attached file: Facebook_and_Twitter_Settings_Examples.pdf)(Embedded
image moved to file: pic06483.gif)
---

On April 6, 2022:
Subject: New York Freedom of Information Law Request: Buffalo, NY Police:
Social media settings and hidden Facebook comments
To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law, I hereby request the
following records:

This request seeks records relating to the Facebook page located at
https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloPoliceDepartment. An example of what each
of these records look like is attached and available at
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21579793-facebook-and-twitter-settings-examples
.

I request:

1. A copy of the full settings for the Facebook page. These records may be
accessed through one of three processes:
The first option:
(a) Log in as an administrator of the page.
(b) Navigate to the Facebook page (i.e.,
https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloPoliceDepartment).
(c) On the lefthand side of the page, where it says "Manage Page," scroll
to "Settings," located at the lefthand side of the bottom of the page.
(d) Click "General" on the lefthand side of the page.

The second option:
(a) Log in as an administrator of the page.
(b) Go to
https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloPoliceDepartment/settings/?tab=settings.

The third option:
(a) Log in as an administrator of the page.
(b) Navigate to the Facebook page (i.e.,
https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloPoliceDepartment).
(c) Go to this URL:
https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloPoliceDepartment/settings/?tab=settings&ref=page_edit&section=download_your_page

(d) Click "Download your page"
(e) Select "HTML," "High," and "All time" in the available options.
(f) Make sure only the "Page profile information" and "Page settings" boxes
are checked.
(g) Click "Request a download."
(h) When the information is ready to download, enter the password to
download it.
(i) Press "confirm."
(j) Provide the files contained in the .zip file.

2. A copy of the list of banned people and pages. This record may be
accessed in this manner:
(a) Log in as an administrator of the page.
(b) Navigate to the Facebook page (i.e.,
https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloPoliceDepartment).
(c) On the lefthand side of the page, where it says "Manage Page," scroll
to "Settings," located at the lefthand side of the bottom of the page.
(d) Click "People and other Pages" on the lefthand side of the page.
(e) On the menu labeled "People who Like this Page," select "Banned People
and Pages"

3. A copy of the list of "Page Roles." This record may be accessed in this
manner:
(a) Log in as an administrator of the page.
(b) Navigate to the Facebook page (i.e.,
https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloPoliceDepartment).
(c) On the lefthand side of the page, where it says "Manage Page," scroll
to "Settings," located at the lefthand side of the bottom of the page.
(d) Click "Page Roles" on the lefthand side of the page.

4. For each of the "THREADS" identified below, a copy of any hidden
comments, with all comments expanded, as visible when logged in as the
page. The records of the hidden comments on the full thread may be accessed
through this process:
(a) Log in as an administrator of the page.
(b) Navigate to the url of the thread.
(c) Make sure you are interacting with the page as the page: Click the
down-pointing arrow next to the user icon (located near the top of the
thread, to the right of the "Like," "Comment," and "Share" buttons) and, on
the "Choose How to Interact" menu, select the name of the page.
(d) Click "Most Relevant" (or "Newest" or "All Comments" or "Hidden by This
Page") and, on the menu, select "Hidden by This Page".
(e) Make sure the thread is fully expanded: Scroll through the comments and
click the links reading "1 reply," "replies," or "View more comments" to
expand the thread.

For purposes of this request, "THREADS" means and refers to the posts
located at:
(a)
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1761751643965225&id=212316725575399

(b)
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1763683200438736&id=212316725575399

(c)
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1769330653207324&id=212316725575399

5. A copy of the lists of users blocked by the @BPDAlerts account. This
list can be obtained through this process:
(a) Log into the account.
(b) Visit this URL: https://twitter.com/settings/blocked/all
(c) Visit this URL: https://twitter.com/settings/blocked/imported

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 5 business
days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Adam Steinbaugh

View request history, upload responsive documents, and report problems
here:
https://www.muckrock.com/

If prompted for a passcode, please enter:
••••••••

Filed via MuckRock.com
E-mail (Preferred): requests@muckrock.com

PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESS
For mailed responses, please address (see note):
MuckRock News
DEPT MR 127310
263 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02115

PLEASE NOTE: This request is not filed by a MuckRock staff member, but is
being sent through MuckRock by the above in order to better track, share,
and manage public records requests. Also note that improperly addressed
(i.e., with the requester?x27;s name rather than "MuckRock News" and the
department number) requests might be returned as undeliverable.

(Embedded image moved to file: pic29658.gif)