Erica Tracewell v. Lowell, City of - City Solicitor (SPR 20213196)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records December 14, 2021 SPR21/3196 Christine O’Connor, Esq. City Solicitor City of Lowell - Office of the City Solicitor 375 Merrimack Street Lowell, MA 01852 Dear Attorney O’Connor: I have received the petition of Erica Tracewell appealing the nonresponse of the City of Lowell Office of the City Solicitor (City) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On November 22, 2021, Ms. Tracewell requested the following records involving the Lowell Police Department: “[1] [a]ll documents supporting or relating to the (58) cases referred to the Lowell Police Department jail diversion co-response clinicians from July 2021 to September 2021; [2] All documents supporting or relating to the (19) cases diverted from arrest or emergency department visits from July 2021 to September 2021…; [3] Any planning documents or guidelines relating to the eligibility criteria for diversion through the Lowell Police Department jail diversion program.” Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Ms. Tracewell petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR21/3196, was opened as a result. Despite being notified of the opening of this appeal, it remains unclear whether the City has provided a response. As such, the City is ordered to provide Ms. Tracewell with a response to her request, provided in a manner consistent with this order, the Public Records Law and its Access Regulations within ten (10) business days. A copy of any such response must be provided to this office. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of this response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Ms. Tracewell may appeal the substantive nature of the City’s response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 • (617) 727-2832• Fax: (617) 727-5914 sec.state.ma.us/pre • pre@sec.state.ma.us

Christine O’Connor, Esq. SPR21/3196 Page 2 December 14, 2021 Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Ms. Erica Tracewell