John Hilliard v. Edgartown, Town of - Police Department (SPR 20231765)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records August 14, 2023 SPR23/1765 Chief Bruce R. McNamee Edgartown Police Department 72 Pease’s Point Way South P.O. Box 1118 Edgartown, MA 02539 Dear Chief McNamee: I have received the petition of John Hilliard, of the Boston Globe, appealing the response of the Edgartown 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 police service at Edgartown Great Pond from about 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 23, through Monday, July 24 [2.] Any reports, recordings of emergency calls or transmissions related to requests for service at Edgartown Great Pond 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 31, 2023, indicating that it was withholding responsive records pursuant to Exemption (f) of the Public Records Law. 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 8, 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

Bruce R. McNamee SPR23/1765 Page 2 August 14, 2023 Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: John Hilliard