I've been late analyzing the 270 pages of data on Ron Mason's cats and that's because ALL paperwork is in the hands of his attorney. Ron has until April 11 to file a complaint. That will be done, and then the very sloooooow action begins, with the City denying the claim.
Boks never responded to my requests for all emails between Boks, Animal Planet staffers including their CEO, LAPD and producers of Animal Precinct. I will submit another request and if that is not responded to, there will be a subpoena for those records down the road.
I hope Boks doesn't respond. That much more to sue him about.
ReplyDeleteHow many cities have to fire Boks before he realizes that the records - if not the truth - always catch up with you in the end? (even if you do brazenly seize the means of reporting statistics, and no one in this sorry Villaraigosa administration has the balls or the ethics to stop you...)
And, at the risk of stating the obvious once again, why do we have a Mayor who is so uncaring and incompetent that he would hire a guy like Boks, who had already made a public fiasco of himself in Maricopa County AND New York City?
I'm embarrassed to say I voted for Antonio Villaraigosa once. I will NEVER make that mistake again.
Don't yall have some sort of remedy if no one responds to your requests for public information?
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I have not had this problem here, the information has all been provided, not necessarily as timely as I would have liked, but I do get the info.
I agree with Kelly, haven't had a problem getting public records either. Keep in mind that the public records requests can only be for reports that are normally generated. They do not have to generate a new out-of-the normal report just because they get a request. You may have to try the back door and use a different tactic so you can get the info you want from a normally generated report. I make requests for e-mails and that has always worked. You'll get a response if you know how to correctly ask for it.
ReplyDeleteThe dept. often drags its feet. Brad Jensen and I made three separte requests for the Mason cat info over a 4 month period. We know what to write and say.
ReplyDeleteBut it is very easy to say no such data exists, no such emails exist. Who will know?
Indeed, here in CA I saw estimates that up to 75% of Requests were responded to or given anywhere near the complete data.
It is no big deal. You could get records that show the Mayor dancing down the street naked while Boks kills a dog with his bare hands and it will not make the local newspapers or TV.
"... public records requests can only be for reports that are normally generated."
ReplyDeleteNot true and this is one of the arguments Boks has tried using to prevent public access to information stored in electronic format, specifically... information stored electronically on animals LAAS impounds. ALL information (with questionable exceptions concerning privacy) on animals LAAS impounds and stored electronically IS public information regardless of whether a "normally" generated report exists.
Due to network security issues, it would be unreasonable for us, the public, to demand direct access to the electronic system (Chameleon) used by LAAS to store animal records in order to review and/or retrieve and copy information stored on the animals they impound.
So the only alternative is to have someone who's authorized to access the records storage system, retrieve this information for us. But often times this comes with a price tag and has resulted in delays due to what appears to be a lack of basic knowledge in how to retrieve the information requested.
NOTE: some believe its not the lack of knowledge in knowing how to retrieve the information requested but a reluctance to provide that information.
As for getting a response if you know how to correctly ask for it, CPRA law states:
6253.1. (a) When a member of the public requests to inspect a public record or obtain a copy of a public record, the public agency, in order to assist the member of the public make a focused and effective request that reasonably describes an identifiable record or records, shall do all of the following, to the extent reasonable under the circumstances:
(1) Assist the member of the public to identify records and information that are responsive to the request or to the purpose of the request, if stated.
(2) Describe the information technology and physical location in which the records exist.
(3) Provide suggestions for overcoming any practical basis for denying access to the records or information sought.
Brad Jensen
Cypress, CA
.
Brad, they do not have to "generate" a report, period. Public record only applies to normal procedure reports. Look it up and you'll see that. Maybe they should assist you in locating a report that applies to your request but they do not have to generate a report specifically for your request. And the privacy law does override public records anytime. Therefore it is an issue of employee time to pull these records and make sure that the privacy law is met. Sorry but this does cost money, it ain't free. I'm curious as to who you submit your requests to, certainly not directly to Boks. You'll have problems unless you submit to the appropriate person who is charged under the city or county system with providing public records. I have a feeling this might be the case with you guys.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ed, for that lovely mental picture of Villaraigosa dancing naked down the street...
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying it's not within the realm of possibility, after all, the guy did pull a Gingrich and cheat on his wife while she had cancer (no, not the "reporter," this was a DIFFERENT time he cheated on his wife...) but still, that picture in one's head ):
To defend Boks though, I doubt he would kill a dog with his bare hands. From stories of how much he drinks, I doubt he could get his shakes sufficiently under control; his style is much more to get flunky Boswell to kill the dog, then arrest a completely innocent third party for the crime, and put out a press release saying how tough Ed Boks is on dog-killers.
Plus, to keep his ratios correct, he'd then have to go kill ten cats.
Gosh, Ed...