A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Eau Claire County Sheriff's Department regarding arrest records on October 22, 2024. The request was made by us at Chippewa Valley Times, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
Under the Wisconsin Open Records Law, §19.31 et seq., we requested all arrest records from January 1, 2024, to the present day. We specifically asked for certain data points if available. These include the arrestee's name, sex, race, age, date of birth (DOB), citizenship status, booking ID, date of arrest, booking photo, names of arresting officers, type of crime committed, location of the crime and date of the crime.
As a media organization engaged in gathering and reporting news to the public, access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These responsibilities include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information to the public, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.
The request is part of our ongoing commitment to keeping our readers informed about law enforcement activities in their communities. It also aligns with our mission of promoting transparency and accountability within local government institutions.
We await a response from the Eau Claire County Sheriff's Department and will continue to update our readers as more information becomes available.
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