Mr. Patrick Duff,

The Township of Hamilton received your Open Public Records Act (OPRA) Request/Common Law Request on March 22, 2023. Your response is being provided on March 24, 2023.

We have determined that all records in the possession of the Township that are responsive to your request are confidential pursuant to the confidentiality provisions of the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991, per N.J.S.A. 2C:25-33, and the Open Public Records Act, per N.J.S.A. 47:1A-9, because they relate to a domestic violence incident covered by the PDVA. We also refer you to the following decisions of the New Jersey Government Records Council: Daniel VanBree v. Bridgewater Tp. Police Dept., Complaint No. 2014-122 (Final Decision, Oct. 28, 2014) and Karen Jean Butala v. Tp. of Aberdeen (Monmouth), Complaint No. 2014-194 (Final Decision, Feb. 24, 2015).

Requested:
1. “Police Report for 11-26-2020. Arrest of one Charles M. Watson. E20-9945, E20-9965, and E-20-9966”
Response:
1- Request Denied – Domestic Violence

Regards,

Lt. Nicole Nelson
609 625 2700 x 517

1. All government records are subject to public access under the Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”), unless specifically exempt.

2. A request for access to a government record under OPRA must be in writing, hand-delivered, mailed, transmitted electronically, or otherwise conveyed to the appropriate custodian. N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5.g. The seven (7) business day response time does not commence until the records custodian receives the request form. If you submit the request form to any other officer or employee of the Township of Hamilton, that officer or employee must either forward the request to the appropriate custodian, or direct you to the appropriate custodian. N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5.h.

3. Requestors may submit requests anonymously. If you elect not to provide a name, address, or telephone number, or other means of contact, the custodian is not required to respond until you reappear before the custodian seeking a response to the original request.

4. The fees for duplication of a government record in printed form are listed on the front of this form. We will notify you of any special service charges or other additional charges authorized by State law or regulation before processing your request. Payment shall be made by cash, check or money order payable to the Township of Hamilton.

5. You may be charged a 50% or other deposit when a request for copies exceeds $25. The Township of Hamilton custodian will contact you and advise you of any deposit requirements. You agree to pay the balance due upon delivery of the records. Anonymous requests in excess of $5.00 require a deposit of 100% of estimated fees.

6. Under OPRA, a custodian must deny access to a person who has been convicted of an indictable offense in New Jersey, any other state, or the United States, and who is seeking government records containing personal information pertaining to the person’s victim or the victim’s family. This includes anonymous requests for said information.

7. By law, the Township of Hamilton must notify you that it grants or denies a request for access to government records within seven (7) business days after the agency custodian of records receives the request. If the record requested is not currently available or is in storage, the custodian will advise you within seven (7) business days after receipt of the request when the record can be made available and the estimated cost for reproduction.

8. You may be denied access to a government record if your request would substantially disrupt agency operations and the custodian is unable to reach a reasonable solution with you.

9. If the Township of Hamilton is unable to comply with your request for access to a government record, the custodian will indicate the reasons for denial on the request form or other written correspondence and send you a signed and dated copy.

10. Except as otherwise provided by law or by agreement with the requester, if the agency custodian of records fails to respond to you within seven (7) business days of receiving a request, the failure to respond is a deemed denial of your request.

11. If your request for access to a government record has been denied or unfilled within the seven (7) business days required by law, you have a right to challenge the decision by the Township of Hamilton to deny access. At your option, you may either institute a proceeding in the Superior Court of New Jersey or file a complaint with the Government Records Council (“GRC”) by completing the Denial of Access Complaint Form. You may contact the GRC by toll-free telephone at 866-850-0511, by mail at PO Box 819, Trenton, NJ, 08625, by e-mail at [email address], or at their web site at www.state.nj.us/grc. The Council can also answer other questions about the law. All questions regarding complaints filed in Superior Court should be directed to the Court Clerk in your County.

12. Information provided on this form may be subject to disclosure under the Open Public Records Act.

Regards,

Lieutenant Nicole Nelson
Support Division Commander
Township of Hamilton Police Department
6101 13th Street
Mays Landing, NJ 08330
Phone: (609) 625-2700 ext. 517
Fax: (609) 625-5903

-----Original Message-----
From: Patrick Duff <[OPRA #41075 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2023 7:47 PM
To: Clerks.Office <[Hamilton Township (Atlantic) request email]>
Subject: [BULK] OPRA request - Police reports

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear Hamilton Township (Atlantic),

This is a request for public records made under OPRA and the common law right of access. I am not required to fill out an official form. Please acknowledge receipt of this message.
Records requested:

Please send me the following police reports form the 11-26-2020 arrest of one Charles M. Watson.

Case #'s
E20-9945
E20-9965
E20-9966

Yours faithfully,

Patrick Duff

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