COMMISSION UPHOLDS CONFIDENTIALITY OF ELM CITY RESIDENT CARD APPLICANT INFORMATION

(7/9/2008) NEW HAVEN- In a full meeting of the State’s Freedom of Information Commission this afternoon, an earlier recommendation to maintain confidentiality of all Elm City Resident Card program records was upheld. Last month, a Commission Hearing Officer issued a proposed ruling on a complaint by Chris Powell of the Journal Inquirer and the Community Watchdog Project that asked the City of New Haven to disclose records of applicants of the Elm City Resident Card Program. The Commissioner found that the City met its burden of proof that the records requested by the complainants were permissively exempt from mandatory disclosure and that the City did not violate the FOI Act by refusing to disclose Elm City Resident Card records. During today’s meeting, the Commission confirmed last month’s decision establishing that the release of these records would pose a direct safety risk to individuals whose information would be revealed.

“The Commission’s decision today is a vindication for the City,” said Kica Matos, Community Service Administrator. “As we prepare to celebrate the one-year anniversary of this successful program it’s important that New Haven residents feel safe and comfortable applying for an Elm City Resident Card with the peace of mind that their information will be kept private.”

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Contact Name: Jessica Mayorga

Contact Email: jmayorga@newhavenct.net

Contact Phone: 203-946-7660