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Common Records |
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Record: Traffic surveys What it shows: The amount of traffic flowing through a certain area, by time of day. Where to find it: The State Highway Administration maintains a database online. Why you need it: Residents concerned about increased traffic brought on by new business or residential development, or municipalities attempting to justify the need for additional stop lights, turning lanes or traffic calming devices such as speed bumps may turn to SHA’s traffic information for information on how crowded their roadways are, and whether they are safe.
Record: Voter registration records What it shows: Who is registered to vote, their party affiliation and their voting district. Where to find it: The local Board of Elections Why you need it: Voter registration lists are often used by candidates for public office to get work out of their campaigns. These lists can also be useful when determining legislative districts for a community to ensure fairness in how they are established and to avoid gerrymandering.
Record: Water Quality What it shows: Public water systems must meet state and fedeal standards to ensure they are safe. Where to find it: The water treatment plant or entity (such as a school served by a well) should maintain files of water testing. In addition, county Health Department, the state Department of the Environment and the federal Environmental Protection Agency maintain records on water systems. Why you need it: To ensure your community water system is meeting all local, state and federal standards for safety.
Record: 911 tapes What it shows: A recording of calls coming in to a jurisdiction’s emergency oeprations center Where to find it: The local 911 communications office. Why you need it: 911 records commonly are used in court cases. Records custodians can deny access to portions of these recordings which tell specific personal information about an individual, such as medical condition, but that information must be redacted and the remaining information released.
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