HomeMy WebLinkAbout20260612 Wells AV Production LetterCity of San Luis Obispo, City Attorney’s Office, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401-3249, 805.781.7140, slocity.org
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June 12, 2026
Karson Wells
KSBY News
(805) 441-0942
Re: Production of February 28, 2026, Video Records
Dear Karson Wells:
On May 14, 2026, the City of San Luis Obispo (“City”) provided a subsequent 30-day update
to your California Public Records Act request (PRR26121) regarding requested video and
audio records consistent with Government Code §7923.625. The video and audio files are
now available to you at the following link:
https://slocitycloud.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/SLOHub/City-
Attorney/IgCorgO7LwclR7_oDcq0H1WrAV3PaQ66uCwsDpZLpiJtk4o?e=adEP5z
This request was reviewed by Evidence Technician John Lehr and Sergeant Joshua Walsh of
the San Luis Obispo Police Department. Personally identifiable information, including
contact information and license plate numbers, as well faces of witnesses and the
decedent, addresses of interviewed witnesses, and depictions of passersby were redacted
pursuant to Government Code § 7922.000 because the public interest served by protecting
the privacy interests of those individuals (which the City does not have the authorization to
waive) by withholding those portions of the video clearly outweighs the public interest
served by disclosing such portions. These redactions were made in accordance with
Government Code § 7923.625(b)(1). The witnesses who provided information to law
enforcement personnel have and maintain a reasonable expectation of privacy in their
persons and in their addresses. Portions of the recording depicting the decedent would
constitute an unwarranted invasion of the decedent’s personal privacy and of the rights of
his survivors and heirs.
Portions of the video containing investigatory information regarding unrelated police
activity captured by in-vehicle technology were also redacted pursuant to Government
Code § 7923.600.
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Names, phone numbers, and addresses of the reporting callers have been redacted from
the 911 audio pursuant to Government Code § 7922.000 because the public interest served
by protecting the privacy interests of those individuals (which the City does not have the
authorization to waive) by withholding those portions of the audio clearly outweighs the
public interest served by disclosing such portions. Names, phone numbers, and addresses
involved in unrelated police activity were also redacted from the radio traffic file pursuant
to Government Code § 7922.000 because the public interest served by protecting the
privacy interests of those individuals (which the City does not have the authorization to
waive) by withholding those portions of the audio clearly outweighs the public interest
served by disclosing such portions. Portions of the audio containing investigatory
information regarding unrelated police activity captured by in-vehicle technology were also
redacted pursuant to Government Code § 7923.600.
Please note that portions of the video files containing investigatory information regarding
the subject incident have also been withheld pursuant to Government Code §§7923.600
and 7923.625(a)(2) because release of those portions would substantially interfere with
the ongoing administrative investigations by the San Luis Obispo Police Department and
the California Attorney General. The public interest in preventing this interference and
ensuring the integrity and thorough and efficient completion of the investigation
outweighs the public interest in disclosure of said portions of the video files at this time.
In accordance with Government Code §7923.625(a)(2), the City will reassess this position
and notify you of our determination within another 30 days from the delivery of this
communication.
Sincerely,
Sadie Symens
Deputy City Attorney
CC: Rick Scott, Chief of Police, City of San Luis Obispo
Whitney McDonald, City Manager, City of San Luis Obispo