Briefcam user manuals, audit logs, and metadata

Dear Todd Feathers:
Thank you for your interest in public records of Lansing Police Department. Your request has been received and is being processed in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, Public Act 422 of 1976, as amended, MCL. 15.231 et. seq. Your request was received in this office on 9/11/2024 and given the reference number P029545-091124 for tracking purposes. With Electronic Requests, the statutory response time does not begin until the following business day. Records Requested: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1) User manuals, handbooks, or comparable instructional documents provided to the department by Briefcam regarding Briefcam products and services.

2) User audit logs documenting each time a department account has accessed or taken action on the Briefcam platform from 1/1/2024 until the date this request is processed. Briefcam audit logs are recorded in a database that can be exported or accessed via API so I ask that you provide it to me as a .csv, .xls, or other database filetype.

3) Metadata for each real-time and smart alert generated by the department's Briefcam system from 1/1/2024 until the date this request is processed. Briefcam automatically notifies authorized users when connected cameras detect pre-defined events (e.g. a crowd gathering) or profiles (e.g. a vehicle of interest). Please note that I am not requesting the video footage or any personally identifying information associated with the alert, but rather the metadata. Metadata includes, but is not limited to: the type of alert, any rules set for the alert, the date and time of the alert, who received the alert, locations associated with the alert, and algorithmic confidence scores associated with the alert. This metadata is stored in a database so I ask that you provide it to me as a .csv, .xls, or other database filetype.

If you have any questions about this request, please do not hesitate to ask. If you would like to set up a time to discuss this request over the phone, please email me at tfeathers@gizmodo.com.

In the event that you determine certain records or portions of records are exempt from disclosure, I ask that you provide a detailed explanation of the records or portions of records being withheld and the statutory exemptions under which they are being withheld.

I am requesting these records as a journalist in order to write articles in the public interest about the operations of a government agency.

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,

Todd Feathers

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. PLEASE NOTE: The Freedom of Information Act, Public Act 422 of 1976, as amended, MCL. 15.231 et. seq.does not require a governmental body to create new information, to do legal research, or to answer questions.
You can monitor the progress of your request at the link below and you'll receive an email when your request has been completed. Again, thank you for using the FOIA Records Center.
Lansing Police Department

Dear Todd Feathers:
Thank you for your interest in public records of Lansing Police Department. Your request has been received and is being processed in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, Public Act 422 of 1976, as amended, MCL. 15.231 et. seq. Your request was received in this office on 9/12/2024 and given the reference number P029545-091124 for tracking purposes. With Electronic Requests, the statutory response time does not begin until the following business day. Records Requested: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1) User manuals, handbooks, or comparable instructional documents provided to the department by Briefcam regarding Briefcam products and services.

2) User audit logs documenting each time a department account has accessed or taken action on the Briefcam platform from 1/1/2024 until the date this request is processed. Briefcam audit logs are recorded in a database that can be exported or accessed via API so I ask that you provide it to me as a .csv, .xls, or other database filetype.

3) Metadata for each real-time and smart alert generated by the department's Briefcam system from 1/1/2024 until the date this request is processed. Briefcam automatically notifies authorized users when connected cameras detect pre-defined events (e.g. a crowd gathering) or profiles (e.g. a vehicle of interest). Please note that I am not requesting the video footage or any personally identifying information associated with the alert, but rather the metadata. Metadata includes, but is not limited to: the type of alert, any rules set for the alert, the date and time of the alert, who received the alert, locations associated with the alert, and algorithmic confidence scores associated with the alert. This metadata is stored in a database so I ask that you provide it to me as a .csv, .xls, or other database filetype.

If you have any questions about this request, please do not hesitate to ask. If you would like to set up a time to discuss this request over the phone, please email me at tfeathers@gizmodo.com.

In the event that you determine certain records or portions of records are exempt from disclosure, I ask that you provide a detailed explanation of the records or portions of records being withheld and the statutory exemptions under which they are being withheld.

I am requesting these records as a journalist in order to write articles in the public interest about the operations of a government agency.

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,

Todd Feathers

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. PLEASE NOTE: The Freedom of Information Act, Public Act 422 of 1976, as amended, MCL. 15.231 et. seq.does not require a governmental body to create new information, to do legal research, or to answer questions.
You can monitor the progress of your request at the link below and you'll receive an email when your request has been completed. Again, thank you for using the FOIA Records Center.
Lansing Police Department

--- Please respond above this line ---

RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST of September 12, 2024., Reference # P029545-091124.
Dear Todd Feathers,
The Lansing Police Department received a public information request from you on September 12, 2024. Your request mentioned: "To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1) User manuals, handbooks, or comparable instructional documents provided to the department by Briefcam regarding Briefcam products and services.

2) User audit logs documenting each time a department account has accessed or taken action on the Briefcam platform from 1/1/2024 until the date this request is processed. Briefcam audit logs are recorded in a database that can be exported or accessed via API so I ask that you provide it to me as a .csv, .xls, or other database filetype.

3) Metadata for each real-time and smart alert generated by the department's Briefcam system from 1/1/2024 until the date this request is processed. Briefcam automatically notifies authorized users when connected cameras detect pre-defined events (e.g. a crowd gathering) or profiles (e.g. a vehicle of interest). Please note that I am not requesting the video footage or any personally identifying information associated with the alert, but rather the metadata. Metadata includes, but is not limited to: the type of alert, any rules set for the alert, the date and time of the alert, who received the alert, locations associated with the alert, and algorithmic confidence scores associated with the alert. This metadata is stored in a database so I ask that you provide it to me as a .csv, .xls, or other database filetype.

If you have any questions about this request, please do not hesitate to ask. If you would like to set up a time to discuss this request over the phone, please email me at tfeathers@gizmodo.com.

In the event that you determine certain records or portions of records are exempt from disclosure, I ask that you provide a detailed explanation of the records or portions of records being withheld and the statutory exemptions under which they are being withheld.

I am requesting these records as a journalist in order to write articles in the public interest about the operations of a government agency.

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,

Todd Feathers

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
The Lansing Police Department has reviewed your request and has determined that the records requested are exempt from disclosure under FOIA for the following reasons:
LPD does not possess the requested public record as named or by another name reasonably known to the LPD. This letter certifies that such records do not exist.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact my office at 517-483-4680.
Sincerely, Angelica Bašić, M.S. Central Records Supervisor/FOIA Coordinator Lansing Police Department – Staff Services Division