Drizzt
Member
Pensacola News Journal (Pensacola, FL)
January 16, 2003 Thursday
SECTION: LOCAL; Em; Pg. 1C
LENGTH: 213 words
HEADLINE: Police can keep secret military weapons info
BYLINE: Steve Mraz, Staff
BODY:
Steve Mraz
@PensacolaNewsJournal.com
The Pensacola Police Department will not have to disclose which military-issue weapons it owns or which of its officers use those firearms.
Circuit Judge Frank Bell will rule in favor of the city of Pensacola in its case against the Times Publishing Co. Bell is expected to file a final order in the case during the next few days, he said.
In October, the parent company of the St. Petersburg Times filed a lawsuit against the city, seeking information on the number and type of military-issue weapons the Police Department has and what training has been provided to those who use the weapons, among other questions.
"It really protects any security plans we have as far as terrorist attacks,'' said Pensacola Police Chief John Mathis. "If you divulge the weapons you have on hand, the plan will be compromised as well."
The Legislature passed laws last year in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks to exempt such information from public record. The Times plans to appeal Bell's ruling.
"The public records we are seeking are not exempt under the statute,'' said Brad Bole, the attorney representing The Times.
The fate of the appeal should be decided sometime this summer, said Assistant City Attorney Rusty Wells.
January 16, 2003 Thursday
SECTION: LOCAL; Em; Pg. 1C
LENGTH: 213 words
HEADLINE: Police can keep secret military weapons info
BYLINE: Steve Mraz, Staff
BODY:
Steve Mraz
@PensacolaNewsJournal.com
The Pensacola Police Department will not have to disclose which military-issue weapons it owns or which of its officers use those firearms.
Circuit Judge Frank Bell will rule in favor of the city of Pensacola in its case against the Times Publishing Co. Bell is expected to file a final order in the case during the next few days, he said.
In October, the parent company of the St. Petersburg Times filed a lawsuit against the city, seeking information on the number and type of military-issue weapons the Police Department has and what training has been provided to those who use the weapons, among other questions.
"It really protects any security plans we have as far as terrorist attacks,'' said Pensacola Police Chief John Mathis. "If you divulge the weapons you have on hand, the plan will be compromised as well."
The Legislature passed laws last year in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks to exempt such information from public record. The Times plans to appeal Bell's ruling.
"The public records we are seeking are not exempt under the statute,'' said Brad Bole, the attorney representing The Times.
The fate of the appeal should be decided sometime this summer, said Assistant City Attorney Rusty Wells.