Incident/Investigation Report
| Submitted | May 13, 2021 |
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Communications
From: Russel Neiss
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Maine Freedom of Access Act, I hereby request the following records:
A copy of the incident or investigation report from the May 9, 2021 anti-Israel graffiti at Bates College which has been reported in the local press: https://www.sunjournal.com/2021/05/10/anti-israel-graffiti-at-bates-college-sparks-state-investigation/
I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by 1 M.R.S.A. § 408(6). The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.
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,
Russel Neiss
From: Lewiston Police Department
We are in receipt of your request. While we can certainly confirm that we have an active / open investigation into a report of criminal mischief in the form of anti-Israel graffiti (written in chalk) on Bates College property (21Lew-1784-OF), it is an open and active investigation therefore a copy of the report cannot yet be released. At this time there have been no arrests and no charges filed. The report was made to the Lewiston Police Department on May 09th, 2021 at 12:11 pm.
David St. Pierre
Lieutenant, SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION
Lewiston Police Department
171 Park Street, Lewiston, ME 04240
(207) 513-3001 x 3323
Visit us at LewistonMaine.gov<http://www.lewistonmaine.gov/>
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From: Russel Neiss
Lieutenant,
Thanks so much for your prompt response.
Given that the investigative record is closed, perhaps the following may be available?
1. A copy of the police blotter of the call for service log on May 09th, 2021.
2. There's been some reporting that there has been communication with the State AG office about this incident. I respectfully request any communication with the state AG office (e.g. emails, phone records, etc) from May 9 through May 14th, obviously excluding the closed investigative report.
Again thanks so much, I really appreciate your assistance and everything you do to keep the community safe.
Best,
Russel
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Maine Freedom of Access Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on May 13, 2021. 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.
From: Lewiston Police Department
Russel,
Please see the attached report and photos that relate to this incident as requested. It was deemed that there was no damage (criminal mischief) as the graffiti was written in chalk and was easily washed off. The entire report / incident was forwarded to our Attorney General’s Office for review as a potential bias related incident. They have determined the incident WOULD NOT be a violation of the Maine Civil Rights Act.
David St. Pierre
Lieutenant, SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION
Lewiston Police Department
171 Park Street, Lewiston, ME 04240
(207) 513-3001 x 3323
Visit us at LewistonMaine.gov<http://www.lewistonmaine.gov/>
[Signature1]
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Maine Freedom of Access Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on May 13, 2021. 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.
From: Lewiston Police Department
I am not certain what this self-generated email is looking for. I have already sent you everything we have based on your request.
David St. Pierre
Lieutenant, SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION
Lewiston Police Department
171 Park Street, Lewiston, ME 04240
(207) 513-3001 x 3323
Visit us at LewistonMaine.gov<http://www.lewistonmaine.gov/>
[Signature1]
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