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FOIA?
May 9, 2021 8:53:43 GMT -6
Post by Omega on May 9, 2021 8:53:43 GMT -6
Listening to Josh Zeman's latest audio podcast, he notes that the 1979 Donna Demasi interview was obtained through a Freedom Of Information Act request (FOIA)
I was wondering if anyone here, has explored a FOIA request and had success and can share any tips on how to go about it?
I know jurisdictions are different, as well as requesting a local versus Federal request, etc. (I guess there would be limited Federal involvement with "Son of Sam", more localized)
Using the "Son of Sam" case, as an example, do you drill down to one of the specific shootings? (there were 8 known), is separating the counties better and requesting things that way? (Queens County had 5 separate incidents, the Bronx had 2, Brooklyn - 1)
If the "Son of Sam" is case closed and solved, shouldn't that make "Information" flow more "Freely"? (saying that with a touch of sarcasm! Sorry!)
Any information, tips and/or guidance on FOIA requesting, would be GREATLY appreciated!
I see the Keddie people on their boards, and envy how they are really into their case, and maybe some have explored FOIA requests. Maybe their expertise and input can help us, over here on the "Sam" boards, with how to go about going the FOIA route!
Thanks
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Jon
Junior Member
Posts: 72
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Post by Jon on May 9, 2021 13:23:51 GMT -6
I wish I could say that my FOIA requests had been fruitful, but so far I've tried the FBI, Yonkers PD and Elmsford PD...and they all just stonewalled me. I tried to narrow each request down to a single crime whenever possible, though I did mention three suspect names in the FBI request. The FBI gave me the time-honored "we can neither confirm nor deny" response, while both Yonkers and Elmsford told me that the records in question no longer existed or had been badly damaged. I followed the suggested guidelines on the agencies' websites in each case, but eventually it became clear that they're going to sit on a lot of this stuff until the end of time. I applaud anyone who can squeeze an interview or an old police report out of them!
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FOIA?
May 9, 2021 13:56:21 GMT -6
Jon likes this
Post by Omega on May 9, 2021 13:56:21 GMT -6
Thanks Jon, I appreciate the feedback!
I figured, if in-depth researchers, like yourself, are having issues with getting info from the FOIA, it's going to be one of those things to have an abundance of patience and be persistent.
I can see Yonkers being an issue, since I believe they have the case still open on Berkowitz and accomplices, here in 2021?
But, if the NYPD has closed and solved the case with Berkowitz as the lone gunmen, shouldn't we be able to just email good ol' Joey B. (Borrelli) and have those files/reports sent over to our local library to peruse through??
The system should be set up if a case is solved, the files should then be sent to a third party government agency for proper storage and to accommodate FOIA requests. Yeah....I know....keep dreaming!
But, what was the purpose of having a FOIA process set up initially, if it is not going to be a fluid process to share info with the public who makes the effort to submit requests, but would be more easier to travel to North Korea or Iran instead???
Thanks again. Hopefully, someone will have a success story!
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Jon
Junior Member
Posts: 72
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FOIA?
May 9, 2021 15:46:06 GMT -6
Post by Jon on May 9, 2021 15:46:06 GMT -6
No problem, Omega! I wish I had more encouraging things to say. Like you, I really hope that someone will hit pay dirt someday--maybe it'll happen if we all keep plugging away!
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FOIA?
May 9, 2021 15:53:28 GMT -6
via mobile
Omega likes this
Post by justiceseeker on May 9, 2021 15:53:28 GMT -6
Thanks Jon, I appreciate the feedback!
I figured, if in-depth researchers, like yourself, are having issues with getting info from the FOIA, it's going to be one of those things to have an abundance of patience and be persistent.
I can see Yonkers being an issue, since I believe they have the case still open on Berkowitz and accomplices, here in 2021?
But, if the NYPD has closed and solved the case with Berkowitz as the lone gunmen, shouldn't we be able to just email good ol' Joey B. (Borrelli) and have those files/reports sent over to our local library to peruse through??
The system should be set up if a case is solved, the files should then be sent to a third party government agency for proper storage and to accommodate FOIA requests. Yeah....I know....keep dreaming!
But, what was the purpose of having a FOIA process set up initially, if it is not going to be a fluid process to share info with the public who makes the effort to submit requests, but would be more easier to travel North Korea or Iran instead???
Thanks again. Hopefully, someone will have a success story!
Yeah...that's not gonna happen. As loathe as I am to admit this, Mike Morford over at ZodiacKillerSite.com has been somewhat successful with FOIA requests over the years...perhaps he'd be willing to share a few tips? |
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ace
Full Member
Posts: 184
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FOIA?
May 9, 2021 22:23:27 GMT -6
Jon likes this
Post by ace on May 9, 2021 22:23:27 GMT -6
Damn it'd be great if we could get our hands on that alone.
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Post by marionumber1 on May 9, 2021 22:54:23 GMT -6
I have an ongoing FOIA request with the NYPD on the Son of Sam shootings, which they are evidently taking their sweet time on (it was "Due" this past December). Jon, if you're interested in still trying to get those Yonkers and Elmsford records, I'd be glad to help out. I do have a decent amount of experience getting records out of these agencies, though I also have had more than my fair share of disappointments and frustrations just like you. Badly damaged seems like an especially poor excuse, as those are still public records in their possession which they ought to release. |
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Jon
Junior Member
Posts: 72
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FOIA?
May 10, 2021 15:36:12 GMT -6
Post by Jon on May 10, 2021 15:36:12 GMT -6
mario, your help would be greatly appreciated! I'm particularly hung up on the murder of Susette Rodriguez; I think it's fair to say that I'm obsessed with it, actually, and I'd love to dig as deep as I can go on that one. I think some facts that are pertinent to the larger case just might emerge.
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FOIA?
May 12, 2021 19:35:41 GMT -6
Post by Admin Horan on May 12, 2021 19:35:41 GMT -6
If they granted it once, they have to grant it, again.
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FOIA?
Jun 25, 2021 14:08:56 GMT -6
Post by marionumber1 on Jun 25, 2021 14:08:56 GMT -6
I have recently tried FOIAing pretty much every relevant police agency about John Carr's death (Ward County Sheriff's Office, Minot Police Department, and Air Force Office of Special Investigations) and sadly gotten the common response that they have no records. Unfortunate, because the North Dakota investigative files would have offered one of the best chances at getting real documentation on many of these alleged interpersonal connections.
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