Laura H. Ortiz v. Bristol County District Attorney's Office (SPR 20250243)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records January 30, 2025 SPR25/0243 Monica Carreiro Records Access Officer Bristol County District Attorney’s Office 218 South Main Street Fall River, MA 02721 Dear Ms. Carreiro: I have received the petition of Laura Ortiz appealing the nonresponse of the Bristol County 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 January 2, 2025, Ms. Ortiz requested the following: 1. A copy of any emails to/from Bristol County District Attorney’s Office that discussed in any way the “Police Monkey Bar Incident May Be Misunderstanding” incident that was alleged to have occurred on Columbus Day October 9, 2023 at Kennedy Park in Fall River and with [identified individuals][;] 2. Copy of any record for the decision made by Bristol County District Attorney Office by its Assistant District Attorney or District Attorney to prosecute or not prosecute the “man” referenced in the complaint made to Fall River Police Department regarding the “Police: Monkey Bar Incident May Be Misunderstanding” incident that was alleged to have occurred on Columbus Day October 9, 2023 at Kennedy Park in Fall River. We’re not sure how to word this part of the request, or what records exist as it was our understanding that this might have been a BCDAO decision to not prosecute this “incident”[;] 3. Copy of any record that shows all the contents of whatever evidence or investigative records and total count were turned over to the Bristol County District Attorney Office and its Assistant District Attorney or District Attorney by the Fall River Police Department regarding the “Police: Monkey Bar Incident May Be Misunderstanding” incident that was alleged to have occurred on Columbus Day October 9, 2023 at Kennedy Park in Fall River. 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

Monica Carreiro SPR25/0243 Page 2 January 30, 2025 Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Ms. Ortiz petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR24/0243, was opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned that the Office provided Ms. Ortiz with a response on January 28, 2025. Where this appeal was opened as a result of the Office’s lack of a written response, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. Ms. Ortiz may appeal the substantive nature of the Office’s January 28th response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Laura Ortiz