Yes, since school video surveillance is funded through public funds, you can obtain it through FOIL.
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From: “Francesco Portelos”
Date: Feb 24, 2014 9:19 AM
Subject: FOIL Video Surveillance
To: “JBaranello3@schools.nyc.gov”
Cc:
Dear Mr. Baranello,
Pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law, please send me copies by Email of the following records:
– Thevideosurveillance footage from cameras outside room 125, 131 and view of hallway at Room 105 from School Building R049 recorded on February 14, 2014 from 7:25am to 8:05am.
I would appreciate a response within five business days of receipt as required by law.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
—
-Francesco Portelos
“As a matter of self-preservation, a man needs good friends or ardent enemies, for the former instruct him and the latter take him to task” -Greek Philospher Diogenes
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Now you might ask why I requested that specific time, date and location. The answer lies in my post from February called Projector and Union Busting Trumps Safety Concerns
In that post I speak about how Principal Linda Hill was so rushed to drop off equipment for her meeting that she interrupted my union meeting. I was connected remotely via webcam and she stated that she had no idea we were meeting. The footage I received shows that’s not true.
Also, remember how to appeal constant denials of the records you requested.
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From: “Francesco Portelos”
Date: Apr 29, 2014 6:36 AM
Subject: Appeal F10,041
To: “Courtenaye Jackson-Chase”
Cc: “FOIL”
Good morning,
I am appealing the constructive denial of F10041. The request was for video surveillance footage that should have been preserved.
Being familiar with the surveillance software, I know the files are easily extracted, saved and can be placed on a CD. I do not see why it is taking months to forward that information from the school.
Francesco Portelos
Parent
Educator
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Remember that footage is kept for roughly 60 days.
Footage below shows Principal Hill walking with papers to our meeting room, breaking it up and coming back a minute later to get a laptop for a projector already set up. Then returning back to her office.
Principal Hill going to disrupt a UFT meeting
Principal Hill coming back to get a laptop as UFT members pour out of room 105 in upper right corner
Principal Hill goes back to drop off a laptop that could have been done after our meeting
Principal Hill returns a minute later leaving the meeting room empty as staff congregates confused.
Be creative with FOIL and use it as a tool for good.
One teacher told me they are now using this method to show their gotcha observations were less than 15 minutes. Smart!
Happy Friday !
