Transparency Showdown: Bryan County vs. Guyton, Georgia - Unveiling the Commitment to Open Records

It's time for our first Transparency Battle, and this week we pit Bryan County against Guyton, Georgia. We challenge both departments to engage in a battle of open records and total transparency. We've submitted Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to each of these departments, aiming to receive everything specified in the FOIA requests. The details of our FOIA request are included below for everyone to review.

Sheriff Mark Crowe (Bryan County Sheriffs Department)

Chief James Breletic (Guyton Police Department)

This challenge stems from an incident on Facebook where Chief Mark Crowe confronted us on the Bryan County Sheriff's Office Facebook page for stating, "Do not vote for Mark Crowe for Sheriff." The question arises: Does free speech still exist in this country? Apparently not entirely, as Sheriff Mark Crowe appears to be less than transparent. In a previous conversation, Sheriff Crowe warned us about potentially making enemies with officers on the streets if we weren't careful.

Now if you ask us that sounds like a very passive threat saying stop digging!

To be clear, our intention is not to discredit law enforcement, but rather to ensure accountability and prevent abuse of power. We believe that transparency is crucial for the benefit of officers, deputies, and all public officials. The attack on Facebook prompted us to test Sheriff Crowe's commitment to transparency. We hope he stands true to the words he shared on that Facebook post. This is about checks and balances, a fundamental principle we all should have learned in American Government.

Who do you think will win this weeks Transparency Challenge?

• Mark Crowe & Dennis Davis, Bryan County Sheriffs Office
• Chief Breletic &Lieutenant Coppola, Guyton Police Department

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests you're about to see below were submitted, one to the Bryan County Sheriff's Department and one to the Guyton Police Department. Let's see if both departments can fulfill our request within 3 days. As this challenge began on a Friday evening after hours, the official challenge time will commence on Monday, November 20th, at 9 AM. From this time onward, both departments must complete the transparency challenge by fulfilling all conditions in each request no later than the close of business on Wednesday, November 22, 2023! So, Sheriff Mark Crowe and Chief James Breletic, are you up for the Transparency Challenge this week?

Bryan County Sheriffs Department FOIA Request: Dear Records Custodian, I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to submit an Open Records Request under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.) for information related to Deputy William Wayne, Badge Number 123, employed by the Bryan County Sheriff's Office. I am requesting the following records: All body camera and dash camera footage for Deputy William Wayne, Badge Number 123, for the last 45 days of his duty. Any and all formal complaints filed against Deputy William Wayne for the last 24 months. For the convenience of both parties, I kindly request that all files and communications related to this request be submitted electronically. We prefer to receive the requested information via email, and we are prepared to provide a Google Drive or other suitable platform for file uploads. Please consider this email as part of the official request. If there are any fees associated with processing this request, please inform me in advance. I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and your cooperation in providing the requested information. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me via email or phone. Thank you for your time and assistance.

Guyton Police Department FOIA Request: Dear Open Records Officer, I hope this letter finds you well. Pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.), I am writing to request access to specific records held by the Guyton Police Department. I am seeking the following information: Any and all Body Camera footage of Officer Hanner for the last 30 days while on duty, encompassing all interactions with citizens, including but not limited to traffic stops, arrests, and any other on-duty interactions. A comprehensive roster of all current staff employed by the Guyton Police Department, including officers and the chief. Please provide the following details for each staff member: Time of employment Hire dates Badge numbers Title of position held Current salary Any formal complaints filed against officers or staff within the Guyton Police Department in the last 12 months. This should include details such as the nature of the complaint, the date it was filed, and the outcome or resolution, if available. I understand that, as per the Georgia Open Records Act, you are required to provide access to these records within three business days. If there are any anticipated delays or if the costs associated with fulfilling this request exceed $25, please inform me in advance. I am willing to cover reasonable copying and postage fees. If fees are expected to exceed $25, please provide an estimate before proceeding. Please respond to this request in writing, either by email or mail, within the time frame stipulated by law. If any part of this request is denied, kindly provide a written explanation, citing the specific legal authority. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I appreciate your cooperation in providing the requested information.

The requests are out, and now we eagerly await responses from both departments. Who do you think will triumph in this week's transparency battle? Will it be Sheriff Mark Crowe with the Bryan County Sheriff's Office, or Chief James Breletic of the Guyton Police Department? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and please remember, if you're enjoying the stories we're bringing, give the articles a like to ensure we continue delivering the content you want to see! Until next time, see you soon, and stay tuned for updates on this transparency battle unfolding throughout the week!

Last Edited 11/18/2023 @3:09 AM