A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Lackawanna County Sheriff’s Office in Pennsylvania on October 22, 2024. The request was made by us at Scranton Reporter, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The request, filed under the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law, sought all arrest records from January 1, 2024, to the present day. The specific data points requested included 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, we believe access to public records is essential for fulfilling our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. We asserted our eligibility for a fee waiver as a media professional due to our role in disseminating information.
We at Scranton Reporter remain committed to delivering thorough and accurate news coverage regarding local government affairs. We will continue seeking necessary information that helps ensure transparency and accountability within our community’s public institutions.
