A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Hales Corners Police Department in Wisconsin regarding arrest records on October 22, 2024. The request was made by Milwaukee South News, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
We at Milwaukee South News are seeking all arrest records from January 1, 2024, to the present day under the Wisconsin Open Records Law, §19.31 et seq. Our request specifically includes the following data points if available: arrestee name, sex, race, age, date of birth (DOB), citizenship status; booking ID; date of arrest; booking photo; name(s) of arresting officer(s); type and location of crime; and date of crime.
As a media organization committed to transparency and accountability in public institutions, we believe access to these public records is essential for fulfilling our professional responsibilities. We have requested these records preferably in an electronic format for ease of access and analysis.
We believe that as a media organization involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, we are eligible for a fee waiver. This waiver would allow us to continue our work without undue financial burden while providing valuable information to our readers about their local law enforcement activities.
We await the response from the Hales Corners Police Department and will keep our readers updated on any developments regarding this request.