A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Sheboygan County Sheriff's Department regarding arrest records on October 22, 2024. The request was made by EC Wisconsin News, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
In line with the Wisconsin Open Records Law, §19.31 et seq., we requested all arrest records from January 1, 2024, to the present day. The data points requested include the arrestee's name, sex, race, age, date of birth (DOB), citizenship status, booking ID, date of arrest and booking photo. Additionally, we also asked for the names of arresting officers involved in each case as well as details about the type and location of crime committed and its date.
As a media organization focused on gathering and reporting news to the public, access to these public records is crucial for us at EC Wisconsin News. It enables us to fulfill our professional responsibilities which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
Given our role in disseminating information to the general public, we believe that we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional under this act. We look forward to a positive response from the Sheboygan County Sheriff's Department regarding this request.
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