John Hilliard v. Dennis, Town of - Police Department (SPR 20231737)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records August 11, 2023 SPR23/1737 Lieutenant Thomas Murray Commander of Support Services Dennis Police Department 90 Bob Crowell Road South Dennis, MA 02631 Dear Lieutenant Murray: I have received the petition of John Hilliard, of the Boston Globe, appealing the response of the Dennis 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 July 26, 2023, Mr. Hilliard requested the following: [1] Any requests for service at Sesuit Harbor, Dennis, on Friday, July 21, from approximately 8 p.m. to midnight [2] Any reports, recordings of emergency calls or transmissions related to requests for service at Sesuit Harbor, Dennis, during that period. This request includes, but is not limited to, any supplemental dispatch notes, records or other paper or electronic documents related to calls for service. The Department responded on July 28, 2023, citing Exemption (f) of the Public Records Law for withholding responsive records. See G. L. c. 4, § 7(26)(f). Unsatisfied with the Department’s response, Mr. Hilliard appealed, and this case was opened as a result. Subsequent to the opening of this appeal, based on a telephone conversation between this office and the Department on August 7, 2023, I understand that the Department intends to provide a supplemental response to Mr. Hilliard. Accordingly, said response must be provided in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its regulations within ten business days. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of the response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. If issues remain unresolved, Mr. Hilliard may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s supplemental response within ninety 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

Thomas Murray SPR23/1737 Page 2 August 11, 2023 Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: John Hilliard