"I just wanted to let you know that—in compliance with the recent Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in the case of Houston v. Maricopa—the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office will not be publishing or releasing booking photos unless there is a public safety need for us to do so. "

 

I appreciate this email from HCSO PIO Meghan Ruiz. She is just doing her job. The decision was obviously made by people at a higher level on the County.

"Hi John,

I just wanted to let you know that—in compliance with the recent Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in the case of Houston v. Maricopa—the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office will not be publishing or releasing booking photos unless there is a public safety need for us to do so. I will no longer be able to fulfill requests for booking photos unless it is requested via Public Records Request, and there is no guarantee it will be granted as it will need to meet the public safety need criteria.

Thank you!"

I emailed Eureka Police Chief Brian Stephens to see if EPD will be making any changes. Chief Stephens is going to get back to me. Obviously, I contacted him and others this afternoon and before the weekend so updates will be added as I hear back.

I will take a look at the ruling. I have already contacted 4 lawyers including those who are experts in this field such as the California Anti SLAAP project who may not respond. I am more interested in the ACLU of Northern California, Ms. Allison Jackson and Mr. Allan Dollison's feedback. Both are highly respected in Humboldt and all over California and their cases have been recognized nationally. 

No one covers court and crime like I do in Humboldt and this policy on an initial read seems like yet another reaction from the County and/or Sheriff Honsal to selectively decide and define what is in what is public safety and what requests will get granted.