Heather Bellow v. Pittsfield, City of - Police Department (SPR 20230736)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records April 27, 2023 SPR23/0736 Abigail Hunt Records Access Officer Pittsfield Police Department 39 Allen Street Pittsfield, MA 01201 Dear Ms. Hunt: I have received the petition of Heather Bellow, of The Berkshire Eagle, appealing the response of the Pittsfield Police Department (Department) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On March 29, 2023, Ms. Bellow requested, “[f]ull police reports and narratives for two incidents: Report # 23-943-OF-ASSAULT and #23-158- WA-ASSAULT…” On April 5, 2023, the Department responded and indicated that it was withholding the requested records pursuant to an ongoing investigation. Unsatisfied with the Department’s response, Ms. Bellow petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR23/0736, was opened as a result. Based upon a conversation between a Public Records Division staff attorney and a Department representative, it is my understanding that the Department intends on providing a subsequent response to Ms. Bellow. Accordingly, the Department is ordered to provide Ms. Bellow with said response, in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its Regulations within 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. Bellow may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Heather Bellow 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