I recently submitted a public information request to receive the police report/blotter in its entirety. First I got an e-mail from the dispatcher who said the request had been forwarded to the borough attorney. Then I got an email from the department saying from its perspective, the police report in its entirety is being released on Facebook. There were six items in the report this week. By editing the police report, Haines Borough is violating law: Alaska Statutes Title 40. Chapter 25 Public Records Disclosure. They are supposed to tell me, John Q. Public, what their reason is for not releasing the report in its true entirety. Their reason for non-release has to match one of the exceptions granted in AS Title 40.25.120 Exceptions. Not being newsworthy is not an exception. They gave me no information regarding the legal exception they are using. It’s bad when police violate the law. I’m a nice guy so I would suggest they read the Title 40 and then turn themselves in; say they’re sorry and start following the law. Also, just in case anyone cares, the people who run town have residents in a $60 million hole (Lutak Dock, water plant, plus future obligations at the harbor, etc.). They are delaying the telling, that’s all, and now they are trampling our rights. Catch me in person and I’ll name names for you. I asked for copies of the correspondence between the lawyer and the borough regarding this issue and haven’t heard back. 

Joe Parnell

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