April 15, 2021Via Electronic Mail
Attn: Gregg Horton
Re: Request for Public Records Received 3/16/2021
Dear Gregg Horton:
The City of Benicia (“City”) is in receipt of your email request seeking:
“Any emails, written communications, documents, contracts, presentations, or other communications between officials from the Benicia Police Department and officials from the company “Flock Safety.”
In your request, you further describe that this request includes:
“Benicia Police Department records of any kind, including electronic records, audiotapes, videotapes, and photographs, as well as letters, emails, facsimiles, telephone messages, voice mail messages and transcripts, notes, and minutes of any meetings. The search should be limited to responsive records created between January 1, 2019 and the day the request is fulfilled.”
This letter shall serve as the City’s further formal written response to your request under the California Public Records Act (Government Code section 6250 et seq.). A copy of your request is enclosed for reference.
The City wishes to cooperate to the fullest extent possible with the Public Records Act. Under established California law, the City is obliged to comply with a request for a public record so long as the requester makes a specific and focused request for information, that information is maintained by the City in its ordinary course of business, the information is disclosable, and the record can be located with reasonable effort. The Public Records Act provides for the inspection or copying of existing identifiable public records; it does not compel the City to create new records, lists, privilege logs, or reports in response to a request.
21-041-000001The City is required to determine whether the request, in whole or in part, seeks copies of disclosable public records. Pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code §§6250 et seq.), such determination must take place within ten (10) days of the City’s receipt of the request, unless the requestor is advised that more time is needed. In my April 9, 2021 letter, I stated that the City had determined that your request seeks disclosable records, and that due to the voluminous size of the response to your request, the City would produce these responsive documents on a rolling schedule, with documents provided by Friday of each week, until all responsive records have been sent.
Since City Hall is closed tomorrow, I am sending this week’s response today. I am enclosing a copy of the next grouping of responsive files in response to your request.
The next response will be sent on or before next Friday, April 23, 2021.
If you have any questions about this response, or if you would like to discuss ways to narrow your search so that the City can provide more specific records in a quicker fashion, please feel free to contact me directly at jbergstrom@ci.benicia.ca.us or 707- 746-4200.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Bergstrom Deputy City Clerk
cc: Benjamin Stock, City Attorney Erik Upson, City Manager Michael Greene, Police Chief Lisa Wolfe, City Clerk File
21-041-000002From: Jennifer Bergstrom To: Jennifer Bergstrom Subject: FW: California Public Records Act Request: Benicia Police Department: Flock Safety Date: Friday, March 26, 2021 4:41:37 PM
From: 109813-60721929@requests.muckrock.com [mailto:109813-60721929@requests.muckrock.com] Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2021 8:16 PM To: Ben Stock Subject: California Public Records Act Request: Benicia Police Department: Flock Safety
Benicia Police Department PRA Office 200 East L. Street Benicia, CA 94510
March 16, 2021
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
Any emails, written communications, documents, contracts, presentations, or other communications between officials from the Benicia Police Department and officials from the company “Flock Safety.”
We seek Benicia Police Department records of any kind, including electronic records, audiotapes, videotapes, and photographs, as well as letters, emails, facsimiles, telephone messages, voice mail messages and transcripts, notes, and minutes of any meetings. The search should be limited to responsive records created between January 1, 2019 and the day the request is fulfilled.
In the event some portions of the requested records are properly exempt from disclosure, please disclose any reasonably segregable non- exempt portions of the requested records. If it is your position that a document contains non-exempt segments, but that those non-exempt segments are so dispersed throughout the document as to make segregation impossible, please state what portion of the document is non- exempt, and how the material is dispersed throughout the document. If a request is denied in whole, please state specifically that it is not reasonable to segregate portions of the record for release.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Gregg Horton
Filed via MuckRock.com E-mail (Preferred): 109813-60721929@requests.muckrock.com Upload documents directly: https://accounts.muckrock.com/accounts/login/? next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.muckrock.com%2Faccounts%2Flogin%2F%3Fnext%3D%252Faccounts%252Fagency_login%252Fbenicia- police-department-19519%252Fbenicia-police-department-flock-safety- 109813%252F%253Femail%253DHmclaughlin%252540ci.benicia.ca.us&url_auth_token=AABuRYGfg02ZPkwcm_g37CE- ntE%3A1lMMes%3AomjnyEmPsjYo_pU7ynlR8BE-JBA Is this email coming to the wrong contact? Something else wrong? Use the above link to let us know.
For mailed responses, please address (see note): MuckRock News DEPT MR 109813 411A Highland Ave Somerville, MA 02144-2516
PLEASE NOTE: This request is not filed by a MuckRock staff member, but is being sent through MuckRock by the above in order to better track, share, and manage public records requests. Also note that improperly addressed (i.e., with the requester’s name rather than “MuckRock News” and the department number) requests might be returned as undeliverable.
21-041-000003From: Nika Golshani To: James Laughter Subject: Check out this HOT TAG ARREST Date: Friday, April 12, 2019 11:01:05 AM
Hi James,
Just checking in to see if you wanted to learn a little more about Flock. Flock Safety works with law enforcement across the nation to put more criminals behind bars!
Check out this recent hot tag arrest with Marietta, GA PD
Do you have time for a quick call to learn how Flock can provide free access to ALPR cameras in your jurisdiction? Find time in my calendar here.
I look forward to hearing back.
Thanks James,
Nika Golshani Public Safety 770-284-5861 www.flocksafety.com
PS: If you don’t want to hear from me anymore, just let me know
21-041-000004From: Nika Golshani To: James Laughter Subject: James Like A Happy Hour? Date: Monday, May 13, 2019 8:15:19 AM
Hi James
Flock Safety would like to invite California Law Enforcement to our Happy Hour during the IACP Technology Conference in Jacksonville, Florida on May 20th.
If you can attend, please RSVP by clicking the image below! Feel free to pass this along to your team.
If you want to learn how Flock Safety’s Falcon tag reader is so much more for so much less, schedule some time with me.
Thanks,
Nika Golshani 770.284.5861 nika@flocksafety.com
Flock Safety 1170 Howell Mill Rd NW Suite 210 Atlanta Georgia 30318 United States
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21-041-000005From: Nika Golshani To: James Laughter Subject: James, Free ALPR Camera Access in your jurisdiction Date: Thursday, April 04, 2019 10:50:38 AM
James,
Flock Safety, provides affordable, flexible and easy to use ALPR systems to neighborhoods, businesses and public safety departments.
We currently have a number of cameras installed in California and are partnering with law enforcement to provide access to those in your jurisdiction.
Flock cameras also compare the plates we read against the CA NCIC hot list and notify dispatch with new hits, allowing you to have eyes on the street at all times.
Do you have a few minutes to learn how you can gain access for your local jurisdiction? I’d be happy to set up a quick call, or feel free to find time in my calendar.
We’re looking forward to working with you to help keep California communities safe!
Best, Nika Golshani Public Safety 770-284-5861 www.flocksafety.com
PS: If you don’t want to hear from me anymore, just let me know
21-041-000006From: Nika Golshani To: James Laughter Subject: Like a long tail cat in a room full of rocking chairs… Date: Monday, April 22, 2019 6:50:44 AM
Hi James,
You’ve got me nervous!
Just a quick follow-up on a message I sent earlier. Are you the best person to speak to about providing free LPR camera access in your jurisdiction? If not, would you mind pointing me in the right direction?
Thanks!
Nika Golshani Public Safety 770-284-5861 www.flocksafety.com
PS: If you don’t want to hear from me anymore, just let me know
21-041-000007From: Nika Golshani To: James Laughter Subject: Re: Like a long tail cat in a room full of rocking chairs… Date: Wednesday, May 01, 2019 7:39:50 AM
Hi James,
I hadn’t heard back from you, but I figured I’d give it one last try…
Would you be interested in gaining free access to ALPRs in your jurisdiction?
If not, please let me know so I don’t become a bother.
Thanks, Nika Golshani Public Safety 770-284-5861 www.flocksafety.com
PS: If you don’t want to hear from me anymore, just let me know
Mon Apr 22, 2019, at 9:50 AM Nika Golshani <nika@flocksafety.com>: Hi James,
You’ve got me nervous!
Just a quick follow-up on a message I sent earlier. Are you the best person to speak to about providing free LPR camera access in your jurisdiction? If not, would you mind pointing me in the right direction?
Thanks!
Nika Golshani Public Safety 770-284-5861 www.flocksafety.com
21-041-000008From: Nika Golshani To: James Laughter Subject: Where"s Waldo Date: Monday, April 08, 2019 10:10:50 AM
Hi James,
Just a quick follow-up on a message I sent earlier….
Are you the best person to speak to about providing Free ALPR camera access in your jurisdiction?
Flock Safety provides affordable, flexible and easy to use ALPR systems to neighborhoods, businesses and public safety departments and we’d like to offer you access for free.
Click here for specs and pricing!
Thanks, Nika Golshani Public Safety 770-284-5861 www.flocksafety.com
PS: If you don’t want to hear from me anymore, just let me know
21-041-000009