Pubdate: Wed, 20 Mar 2002 Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News (CO) Copyright: 2002, Denver Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/371 Author: Sarah Huntley Note: webpage includes photo with caption: Keith Evan Rude of Longmont, an advocate of legalized marijuana and access for the disabled, is the first to file a public-records request to see files Denver police gathered on him. His request has been initially denied. POLICE REJECT ACTIVIST'S REQUEST FOR PEEK AT 'SPY FILE' Keith Evan Rude figures he's made it into the Denver Police Department "spy files" as an outspoken proponent of legalized marijuana and access for the disabled. He wanted to know what information has been gathered on him and who has seen it, so he demanded a copy. Rude, 42, the first individual to file a public-records request with Denver police regarding the files, received a denial letter Tuesday. The letter stated "disclosure of the files would be contrary to the public interest" and cited an exemption in the public-records law that allows police to withhold files compiled "for any law enforcement purpose." The letter failed to mention that Mayor Wellington Webb and police officials have conceded that at least some of the files violated department policies. The letter said nothing of a proposed review system that could allow the department to notify Rude, if an independent auditor determines there is a file on him that was collected inappropriately. The review process is still being worked out. Webb has not said whom he plans to appoint as the auditor. No decision has been made on whether anyone will get to see any of the information collected on them. Last week, the American Civil Liberties Union accused the department of unfairly and illegally gathering information on activists involved in peaceful protests. The city has said there are more than 3,200 files on individuals and 200 on groups. Rude suspects he is included because he has given public speeches as a member of the Boulder Hemp Initiative, including one on the steps of the Capitol. He has been arrested for civil disobedience in other states in protests involving ADAPT, American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today. Rude, who lives in Longmont, is concerned that Denver police have shared his file with Boulder social-service workers, harming his position in a protracted battle involving the care and custody of his teen-age daughter. "I have long believed that what has happened with my family has been orchestrated. I thought this would be an opportunity to get some proof," he said. Rude is not satisfied with the city's plan to audit the records. "I consider it an invasion of my privacy that some independent reviewer gets to go through my file and I'm denied access to it," he said. The ACLU has demanded that the department allow access to everyone on the list. Legal Director Mark Silverstein said Tuesday his office has been flooded with calls and e-mails from people who want to know how they can find out what information has been collected about them. Police Chief Gerry Whitman said his department has drafted a more informative response to records requests but is awaiting final word from the mayor's office on what the disclosure process will be. Whitman, who was out of town on business last week, said Tuesday he understands the public's concerns about the information, but said not all the 3,400 files were kept under the auspices of criminal intelligence. News4 reported Tuesday that not all the files involve activists. Several dozen involve citizens who have sought concealed-records permits; about 250 concern Denver Public Schools students who were acting suspiciously after the Columbine killings; and roughly 600 are the names of bikers affiliated with motorcycle gangs. Another 300 or so are individuals who have violated state or federal law. Whitman met Tuesday afternoon with captains and chiefs to discuss the controversy and review a resolution passed Monday by the City Council that prohibits police from spying on people based on race, religion or social views. Webb called on the department Tuesday to incorporate those principles in the Denver Police Department policy manual by the end of the day. Whitman said his department will comply with the resolution and with a more clearly written policy about intelligence gathering, but said police will continue to do their jobs. "I made it really clear that we are going to continue to collect legitimate, criminal intelligence information," Whitman said. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh