Laura H. Ortiz v. Lowell, City of - Police Department (SPR 20242764)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records October 16, 2024 SPR24/2764 Jacqueline Cook Keeper of Records City of Lowell – Police Department 50 Arcand Drive Lowell, MA 01852 Dear Ms. Cook: I have received the petition of Laura Ortiz appealing the nonresponse of the Lowell 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 10, 2024, Ms. Ortiz requested the following records between January 1, 2024 and September 10, 2024, [1.] Copies of any Narcotic Search Warrants executed by Lowell Police Department, without any arrest and/or without drugs being found on the civilian the search warrant was executed against[;] [2.] Copies of any records for any cash seized (as a civil forfeiture) during the execution of the above Narcotics Search Warrants requested in Part 1, that identify the total amount of cash seized and date of seizure… scope to also include any percentages of cash seized (as a civil forfeiture) that were given to Lowell PD and/or the City of Lowell by DEA, ATF and/or Massachusetts Department of State Police or other applicable law enforcement agency[.] Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Ms. Ortiz petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR24/2764, was opened as a result. Despite being notified of the opening of this appeal, it remains unclear whether the Department has provided a response. Accordingly, the Department is ordered to provide Ms. Ortiz with a response to her request, 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 the response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Ms. Ortiz may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s response within ninety (90) 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

Jacqueline Cook SPR24/2764 Page 2 October 16, 2024 Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Laura Ortiz