Robert Freeman, executive director of the New York State Committee on Open Government, made an appearance on "The Capitol Pressroom" on public radio in New York state last week.
During the interview, the Dunkirk Police Department issue came up. Freeman said the city was overcharging residents - $7 per request - for police documents. The state law is 25 cents per page.
"I think (Dunkirk's policy) is contrary to law, plain and simple," he said on the program.
Late last week, the city changed its policy regarding the request. It will be 25 cents per page, just like state law says it should be.
It was a smart step by city leaders for making this happen.
Now, focus shifts to Chautauqua County's sheriff's department, which is charging $5 per accident request from residents. Hopefully, the county will see the error in its ways and change its policy to comply with the law.
