Paul Benson v. Provincetown, Town of- Police Department (SPR 20232445)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records October 30, 2023 SPR23/2445 Barbara Peters Records Clerk Provincetown Police Department 26 Shank Painter Road Provincetown, MA 02657 Dear Ms. Peters: I have received the petition of Paul Benson, of the Provincetown Independent, appealing the response of the Provincetown 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 September 14, 2023, Mr. Benson requested, “… any police reports involving [an identified individual] since my last request on July 8 and also any police reports involving [an identified individual] at any time since January 2017.” The Department responded on September 26, 2023. Unsatisfied with the Department’s response, Mr. Benson petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR23/2445, was opened as a result. It is my understanding that the Department intends on providing a further response to Mr. Benson. Accordingly, the Department is ordered to provide Mr. Benson 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 the response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Mr. Benson 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: Paul Benson 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