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 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) DENVER POLICE REJECT REQUEST FOR ACCESS TO SURVEILLANCE FILES Police have rejected a public-records request by a marijuana proponent who wanted to know if surveillance files collected by authorities included information on his activities. Keith Evan Rude was the first individual to file a public-records request regarding the files. He 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." Mayor Wellington Webb has proposed a review system that would allow the department to notify Rude and others if an independent auditor determines files exist that were collected inappropriately. Webb's proposal was a reaction to accusations made last week by the American Civil Liberties Union that claim the Denver Police Department is illegally keeping files on peaceful protest groups. The ACLU has demanded that the department allow access to everyone who is on the list. Webb and police officials have conceded that at least some of the files violated department policies. The police department has said it has about 3,400 files on individuals and organizations dating to about 1999. The ACLU has urged the city to preserve the files because they could be used as evidence for lawsuits. Rude suspects he is included in the files 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, and advocacy group for disabled people. Rude, who lives in Longmont, said he's concerned that police have shared his file with Boulder social workers, harming his position in a protracted battle involving the care and custody of his teen-age daughter. ACLU 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth