FOIA Inquiry into Police Conduct at SUNY New Paltz's Pro-Palestinian Protest

Email






Thank you for submitting your FOIL request through Open FOIL NY.

Here is your Open FOIL NY confirmation information for future reference:

LASSITER_NYSP_20240512224940634

INFORMATION SUBMITTED:

Records Requested From
New York State Police

Short Title
FOIA Inquiry into Police Conduct at SUNY New Paltz's Pro-Palestinian Protest

Description
New York State PolicePublic Information Office1220 Washington Avenue, Building 22Albany, NY 12226-2252Subject: Freedom of Information Law Request for Records Related to the SUNY New Paltz ProtestDear Public Information Officer,I am writing as a freelance journalist under the provisions of the New York Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law §§ 84-90), seeking access to records related to the law enforcement response at the State University of New York at New Paltz during the protest on May 2, 2024. This protest was part of a wider movement related to the conflict in Gaza and has been noted for its significant impact on campus safety and public expression.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 LassiterAttachments:https://cdn.muckrock.com/outbound_composer_attachments/TheJ/136676/Fee_Waiver_Letter_copy_1_1.pdfUpload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/

Uploaded Files
Fee_Waiver_Letter_copy_1_1.pdf

FOIL Response Format
Email

If fees apply, please contact me if costs will be greater than
$0
Your FOIL request has been forwarded to the organization(s) you selected, and the respective Records Access Officer will contact you directly for further processing of your request. Please allow up to five business days for such communication(s). For your convenience, here is additional contact information:

New York State Police
1220 Washington Avenue
Bldg 22
Albany, NY 12226-2252

May 14, 2024

Jordan Lassiter
MuckRock News, DEPT MR163506
263 Huntington Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02115

Re: FOIL Number NYSP-24-05-1064

Dear Jordan Lassiter:
This will acknowledge receipt of your request for records under the Freedom of Information Law received by New York State Police on May 13, 2024. The request was for "FOIA Inquiry into Police Conduct at SUNY New Paltz & Pro-Palestinian Protest".
Due to the volume of requests received and currently being processed by this agency your request will be granted or denied by or before July 19, 2024. Please take note extensive requests require more time to process.
Please be advised, pursuant to Article 6 of the Public Officers Law, a fee may be applied to your request, including the actual cost of the medium used to respond to your Freedom of Information Law request and/or other related costs. When responsive records have been identified, you will be informed of any cost and how payment should be made. For further information see our website troopers.ny.gov<https://troopers.ny.gov/foil-requests>.
PLEASE NOTE: **
As we have acknowledged your request, please refrain from submitting duplicate requests for the same records through Open FOIL. Submitting a duplicate request takes time away from processing the hundreds of requests received each month. If you have additional information to add to your request, or you would like to know the status of your request, please use the above FOIL number when contacting the FOIL Unit via email or call us at (518) 464-7100, option #4.
Sincerely,
[cid:image001.gif@01DAA5DD.6E00C2B0]
Technical Lieutenant Rachel M. Robinson
Records Access Officer

________________________________

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail, including any attachments, may contain highly sensitive and confidential information. It is intended only for the individual(s) named. If you received this e-mail in error or from someone who was not authorized to send it to you, do not disseminate, copy or otherwise use this e-mail or its attachments. Please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and delete the e-mail from your system.