Re: DOT video logging question (especially for argatlam_roads)

On Oct 10, 10:04 am, grothebard <romeoskis...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
A few weeks ago, I made a post about discovering that my state DOT has
a video log that's more or less available to the viewing public. I'd
been grabbing screen captures, once a second, direct to a usb drive,
of the videos as they've played on 2 visits to their library, using a
program that has to be installed. After being flatly refused by
someone in the department for a copy of the video data (apparently for
size reasons - 1tb), I sent off an email to him asking him to
reconsider the proposal based on things like I wouldn't need both
lanes (half the size), that it's probably playable without their
interface, it's probably stored in logical directories, etc.
Obviously I've been able to see the files myself and have had the
ability to copy them. Of course, I didn't want to show my cards to
this guy. Anyway, the email I received:

------------------------------
Whilst officers of the Department are conscious of your unique
situation and disability and wish you well I have received the
following advice from those responsible for the Department's Road
Video:

1/ The Video is available for viewing only at the Library. It has
been made available generally for consultants and contractors working
on DIER roads.

2/ For commercial reasons, we will not allow downloading or
distribution of the video to outside parties.

3/ Any breach of the above (including unauthorised downloading of
information) will result in refusal of access for viewing purposes in
the Library.
----------------------------------

I'm now worried if he knows that I know I've been able to "get into"
the videos (not that I'm in a position to copy them over, space-wise),
and worse still, if it's been noticed that I've been using screen
capturing, which isn't perfect, but good enough for me. Now, point 3
worries me about screen captures ("including unauthorised downloading
of information") - I wonder if this has been included to cover screen
captures? Only my next visit will tell (if USB/installing program
access has been locked out) will tell, but if this is the case, the
video data is useless to me anyway, in a public, non-viewable at home
way.

My question - how should I respond to this guy in a way that makes it
look like I have no idea to download the information, and really isn't
all that important to me at the moment?

Whether this guy knows I can just go to the run menu and type in the
server name, or assumes that this is locked out like most public
government computers, I don't know (if I did, I wouldn't need to make
this post!)

Keep in mind that the librarian showed me how to do a single screen-
cap then print it, which is arguably in violation of the rules that
they've actually set out (their "information" clause is pretty
ambiguous!). I'm not very good at deceit and/or keeping my cards
hidden up my sleeve, can someone please help me with a reassuring, but
believable, reply?



Do what Jonathan suggests, and let the dust settle. In the meantime
do some serious research on the public records law in your state.
Really familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of it. Make sure
you are on firm ground.

Go back to the library, the librarian seems really helpful, and they
are probably very knowldgeable about the above.

Frankly I would not take the guy's response as a final answer.

I will put it to you this way, your Roads Department paid for this,
meaning the PUBLIC paid for this. That means the PUBLIC has complete
and total access to it.

I will bet you will get what you want. Now if they continue to give
you a hard time, again be sure you are on firm ground, but at some
point remind the "official" that the videos were paid for by the
PUBLIC, not him, and he is a PUBLIC employee.
That shoould he not reconsider you have no problem contacting the
Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the State (that is the state Attorney
General in the States, and the news media.

The news media is pretty interested in finding a citizen that was
denied pub records by a state agency. Again those videos were paid
for by the PUBLIC.

The bottom line is don't let them scare you off, and don't take no for
an answer.

Randy

.

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