FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org
The New England First Amendment Coalition met with officials from the Providence Police Department and the Mayor’s Office today to explore ways law enforcement information can be more efficiently shared with the public.
Among those representing the city were Col. Oscar Perez and Emily Ward Crowell, Chief of Staff for Mayor Brett P. Smiley. During the meeting, subjects including the following were discussed:
• Ways to improve time-sensitive communication between the Providence Police Department and local journalists.
• How to make the public record requests process more timely and streamlined.
• Body camera footage and avoiding unnecessary redactions under the Access to Public Records Act.
NEFAC is the region’s leading advocate for the First Amendment and the public’s right to know about government. Want to learn more about the Rhode Island public records law? Check out NEFAC’s multimedia FOI Guide for video tutorials, interviews with journalists and legal experts, legislation trackers and more.
NEFAC was formed in 2006 to advance and protect the Five Freedoms of the First Amendment, including the principle of the public’s right to know. We’re a broad-based organization of people who believe in the power of an informed democratic society. Our members include lawyers, journalists, historians, academics and private citizens.
Our coalition is funded through contributions made by those who value the First Amendment and who strive to keep government accountable. Please make a donation here.
Leadership Circle donors include the Rhode Island Foundation, Hearst Connecticut Media Group, The Boston Globe, Paul and Ann Sagan, and the Robertson Foundation. Major Supporters include Boston University, the Academy of New England Journalists, the Society of Professional Journalists Foundation, Genie Gannett for the First Amendment Museum, Linda Pizzuti Henry, the Champa Charitable Foundation Fund, Connecticut Public and GBH-Boston.