John Hilliard v. Cape & Islands District Attorney's Office (SPR 20231824)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records August 21, 2023 SPR23/1824 Russ Eonas, Esq. Deputy First Assistant District Attorney Cape & Islands District Attorney’s Office 3231 Main Street P. O. Box 455 Barnstable, MA 02630 Dear Attorney Eonas: I have received the petition of John Hilliard, of the Boston Globe, appealing the response of the Cape & Islands District Attorney’s Office (Office) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On August 2, 2023, Mr. Hilliard requested: [1.] Any requests for service at Dennis Yacht Club, from approximately 6 p.m. Friday, July 21, 2023, through Wednesday, Aug 2, 2023. [2.] Records of police activity at the Dennis Yacht Club, from approximately 6 p.m. Friday, July 21, 2023, through Wednesday, Aug 2, 2023. [3.] Any reports, recordings of emergency calls or transmissions related to requests for service at the Dennis Yacht Club, 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. On August 4, 2023, the Office responded and stated it was withholding the requested records pursuant to Exemption (f) of the Public Records Law. G. L. c. 4, § 7(26)(f). Unsatisfied with the Office’s response, Mr. Hilliard petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR23/1824, was opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned that the Office intends to provide a further response to Mr. Hilliard. Accordingly, the Office is ordered to provide Mr. Hilliard with said response, provided in a manner consistent with this order, the Public Records Law and its 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. Mr. Hilliard may 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

Russ Eonas, Esq. SPR23/1824 Page 2 August 21, 2023 appeal the substantive nature of the Office’s response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: John Hilliard